Re: Apple's control over state issued digital IDs

That Apple would do this is absolutely predictable:
https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-credentials/2021Nov/0072.html.

-Adrian



On Mon, Nov 15, 2021 at 3:33 PM Mike Prorock <mprorock@mesur.io> wrote:

> Very strong concerns from our side.  This is one of the big reasons
> (beyond obvious concerns like privacy) to prevent vendor lock in for public
> good items.
>
> Mike Prorock
> CTO, Founder
> https://mesur.io/
>
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 15, 2021 at 3:11 PM Liam McCarty <liam@unum.id> wrote:
>
>> CNBC article: Apple is sticking taxpayers with part of the bill for
>> rollout of tech giant’s digital ID card
>> <https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/14/apple-sticking-taxpayers-with-part-of-the-bill-for-digital-id-rollout.html>
>>
>> This is exactly the opposite of what an open, interoperable, Verifiable
>> Credential ecosystem is meant to achieve. Very disheartening.
>>
>> Some choice quotes:
>>
>> *Apple has “sole discretion” for key aspects of the program, including
>> what types of devices will be compatible with the digital IDs, how states
>> are required to report on the performance of the effort, and when the
>> program is launched, according to the documents. Apple even gets to review
>> and approve the marketing that states are required to do.*
>>
>> *The dynamic is similar to the way Apple typically deals with vendors,
>> although instead of getting paid by Apple, the states have to shoulder the
>> financial burden of administering the programs*
>>
>> *All these efforts are paid for by states. The contract says that “except
>> as otherwise agreed upon between the Parties, neither Party shall owe the
>> other Party any fees under this Agreement.”*
>>
>> *The agreements are also notable for what is missing, in terms of
>> constraints or guard rails on how Apple can use the powerful capability of
>> identity verification, according to Mikula. That raises questions about
>> whether the company can restrict access to the new capability for
>> competitors’ products.*
>>
>>
>> Curious what others make of this.
>>
>> *Liam McCarty*
>> Co-Founder of Unum ID <https://www.Unum.ID>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>