Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it clear Friday that the state will not move toward issuing digital driver’s licenses, rejecting the idea outright over concerns about government intrusion and the potential abuse of personal data. His stance comes as many other states embrace mobile identification technology under the banner of modernization and convenience.
Responding to a question on social media asking when Florida would adopt digital licenses, DeSantis left no room for doubt. “The convenience of a digital drivers license is outweighed by the potential for government to abuse it. Not gonna happen in FL. No digital ID,” he wrote.
While more than two dozen states have already adopted or are piloting digital IDs—allowing residents to use their phones for identity verification at airports, bars, and other checkpoints—DeSantis has consistently warned that such systems open the door to increased government tracking and data collection. His refusal marks a clear break from the nationwide trend toward digital identification.
The governor’s position aligns with the broader theme he has championed in recent years: skepticism toward expanding government involvement in personal technology.
DeSantis has frequently argued that innovations billed as “convenient” often come with hidden trade-offs—trade-offs he believes ultimately erode individual freedom. This viewpoint shaped the “Digital Bill of Rights” legislation he signed in 2023, aimed at limiting government surveillance and restricting how tech platforms handle consumer data.
Supporters of mobile driver’s licenses claim they offer enhanced privacy protection by allowing users to share only the minimum amount of information—such as confirming legal age without revealing a full birth date or home address. But critics point to the flip side: as more sensitive information moves into digital systems, opportunities for misuse expand, especially when government agencies are involved.
Florida has already experimented with the idea. The state previously piloted a mobile ID through an app called Florida Smart ID. However, that program was paused and the app pulled from stores for retooling, leaving the state reliant on traditional physical licenses. Florida law still requires drivers to carry their plastic cards, and DeSantis’s latest remarks indicate that the state has no intention of revisiting the digital option.
The governor’s stance underscores a growing divide between states adopting digital ID systems and those pushing back over civil liberties concerns. For DeSantis, the issue is simple: no matter the convenience, the risk of enabling government monitoring or creating a centralized digital identity system outweighs any potential benefit.
As tech companies and federal agencies continue encouraging states to adopt digital IDs, Florida now stands firmly opposed. DeSantis’s message was unmistakable: digital identification may be the direction much of the country is heading, but under his leadership, Florida will prioritize protecting personal freedom over following the latest technological trend.
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