“REAL ID Deadline Is Here: What You Need to Know”
After years of delays, the long-anticipated federal REAL ID deadline is now imminent. Beginning May 7, Americans will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or another federally approved form of identification to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities.
REAL ID was introduced in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to enhance identification standards across the United States. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories are now issuing REAL ID-compliant credentials, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, not all states support the mandate without reservation. In Maine, State Representative Laurel Libby (R) has introduced legislation seeking to repeal the state’s compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.
As the rollout continues, privacy and cybersecurity experts are raising concerns about the implications for data security and civil liberties. While DHS emphasizes that REAL ID does not create a federal database, critics argue that the system may still lay the groundwork for increased federal access to personal information.
“The more information the government has, the more the government might use that information,” said Jodi Daniels, founder of privacy consulting firm Red Clover Advisors.
REAL ID credentials continue to be issued and managed by individual states, which retain control over data storage and access. Each state maintains its own systems and determines how personal information is shared, including with law enforcement agencies or third-party vendors.
Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the ACLU, expressed concern that a national database could follow, warning of long-term privacy risks.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), biometric technology is used at some checkpoints to verify traveler identity. The TSA states that photographs and other personal data are deleted after verification and are not shared with law enforcement or external entities. Still, privacy professionals remain cautious.
“States have already been managing this for many years,” noted Bala Kumar, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Jumio, a digital ID verification firm.
States are also using the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, managed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), to cross-check whether an individual already holds a license in another jurisdiction. Although intended to prevent duplication and fraud, the system also facilitates interstate data sharing.
In some cases, state motor vehicle departments sell limited personal data—such as driving records—to outside entities like insurance companies or investigators. According to experts, individuals concerned about how their data is being handled should reach out to their local DMV or elected officials for more transparency.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity professionals advise consumers to take proactive steps to safeguard their identity regardless of how data is stored or shared.
Zulfikar Ramzan, CTO at cybersecurity firm Point Wild, recommends freezing your credit with the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—as a baseline defense against identity theft.
Other suggestions include enabling two-factor authentication for all sensitive accounts and creating family code words to avoid falling victim to impersonation scams—a growing concern as facial recognition technology becomes more accessible to criminals.
Looking ahead, states are also beginning to issue mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs)—digital versions of traditional IDs stored on smartphones. Backed by encrypted digital signatures, mDLs promise enhanced security and verification capabilities.
According to mDLConnection, an initiative from the Secure Technology Alliance, approximately a quarter of U.S. states—including Utah, Maryland, Virginia, and New York—have begun offering or piloting mobile IDs. More states are expected to follow in the coming years.
As digital identity continues to evolve, REAL ID represents both a logistical milestone and a flashpoint in the broader debate over privacy, data security, and federal oversight.
Rewritten: Original article posted here: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/02/real-id-deadline-identity-government-privacy.html
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