David Kelts - From Idemia to Decipher Identity and the Evolution of Mobile IDs

The Future of Identity

In this episode of The Future of Identity Podcast, I’m joined by David Kelts, a leader in digital identity and mobile ID initiatives, with a career that spans significant contributions across multiple companies and initiatives worldwide. David's insights shed light on the journey of mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs), the evolution of identity verification, and his current role at Decipher Identity, where he’s tackling adoption challenges and working with businesses to expand use cases for digital identity.
We explore:
- David's early work at Idemia, including pioneering efforts in connecting driver’s licenses to online identity proofing.
- The origin and adoption challenges of mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and why adoption has lagged behind expectations.
- Privacy concerns surrounding digital IDs and the misconception of "phone home" tracking in mobile identity, along with how privacy regulations are influencing this space.
- The role of standards organizations and government agencies, like AMVA and TSA, in fostering privacy and security in digital credentials.
- The future vision for digital identity, including the potential for digital-native identity credentials, cross-border use cases, and the value of user choice in secure digital wallets.
David also shares stories from working directly with states like Utah and California on mDL projects and reflects on what’s needed for broader adoption. This episode is a deep dive into the evolving landscape of digital identity and is perfect for anyone interested in the future of authentication, privacy, and user-centric identity solutions.
You can learn more about Decipher Identity at decipher.id.
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