OHIO — Most people these days are used to keeping their license in their wallets, but imagine if they could have it stored on their phone.

That’s the intent of one bipartisan bill that’s now making its way through the Statehouse; however, opponents worry it could compromise privacy.

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 78 is looking to expand digital ID usage

  • The bill is sponsored by Reps. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, and Thomas Hall, R- Madison Twp.

  • ACLU lobbyist have raised privacy concerns 

  • Bill sponsors are open to changes as the bill is in its early stages

As technology continues advancing in nearly every aspect of our lives, and if State Representative Joe Miller, D-Amherst, has his way the BMV could soon be forced to offer digital IDs to Ohioans through House Bill 78.

“My goal has always been to protect peoples’ freedoms,” Miller said, “But give them options and technology, provide a lot of options and flexibility and opportunity for people to navigate our system a little bit easier.”

Miller is co-sponsoring the bill with State Representative Thomas Hall, R- Madison Twp., which would allow Ohioans to use digital IDs for almost everything, including being pulled over by police.

With the current writing of the bill, Ohioans would not be able to use a digital ID at the polls.

Gary Daniels, Chief Lobbyist for the ACLU, isn’t opposed to the idea, but is concerned that the bill doesn’t include privacy protections.

“It kicks that responsibility over to the BMV,” Daniels said. “And our concern is that, ‘Hey look, maybe BMV or whatever they would come up with, isn’t going to be adequate to protect our privacy.’”

The bill would require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to create a program for Ohioans to use the digital ID and include security measures.

It also permits the Registrar to add more procedures or requirements that would protect privacy and security of data.

Daniels is concerned that without those protections included in the bill, the government and private companies could access personal information much easier.

“As you continue to hand over private data to government or private parties, that data will be compromised,” Daniels said. “It will be misused and ultimately what it could result in is a surveillance society.”

While this bill wouldn’t require Ohioans to get a digital ID, Daniels is mindful of people who don’t have smartphones or aren’t eligible to get one.

In some ways, it could be like stores that have recently stopped accepting cash, for example.

“There’s an awful lot of people who digital IDs do not work for them, will not work for them,” Daniels said. “But we could certainly envision a future where the demand is either with private entities or government entities or both where they say, ‘No, you must use a digital ID.’”

The bill just received its second hearing in the House Technology and Innovation committee.

Miller said he’s open to changes, especially with the bill still in its early stages.

“We would probably end up doing is I’ll meet with the ACLU’s government liaison, Mr. Daniels and say, ‘Okay where is it within these rules or within the law that you think it needs tightened up for security purposes’ or, some of these other concerns he brought,” Miller said. “I will make sure and so will my joint sponsor that this bill doesn’t trample on anybody’s rights of privacy.”