European digital ID wallets are a gift to Google and Apple
This article examines the risks of European governments relying on Google and Apple's proprietary safety services for their new digital identity wallets. It argues that this dependency grants Big Tech excessive control over public infrastructure.
Why it matters
It raises significant concerns regarding digital sovereignty and the potential for private corporations to influence government-mandated security standards.
European governments are rolling out digital identity wallets, which are to be used by citizens to access services, and to verify their age online. As reported by Follow the Money and Android Authority , there is a serious problem with this: these wallets rely on safety services of Google and Apple. These are known as Google Play Integrity API, and Apple’s Managed Device Attestation 1 . Such safety services (known as “remote attestation”) are used to ensure that wallet apps run on hardware that is not tampered with. In this article we explain why the EU-wallet case is part of a bigger problem: by embedding these safety services in public infrastructure, Europe risks making society dependent on private companies while serving their corporate interests.
The article takes a critical stance on corporate power and the influence of Big Tech on public policy.
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