TALLAHASSEE — After spending $1.5 million on growth and two years since its launch, the state has pulled its digital driver’s license software from iOS and Android app shops and deactivated it.
However the Florida Division of Freeway Security and Motor Automobiles didn’t say why.
The transfer sidelines — at the least for now — a troubled effort to carry Florida driver’s licenses into the digital age. From the start, the app has been plagued with glitches that restricted its utility.
As of this week, the company’s web site FAQ web page for the app stated: “The Florida Good ID functions might be up to date and improved by a brand new vendor. Right now, the Florida Division of Freeway Security and Motor Automobiles is eradicating the present Florida Good ID software from the app retailer.”
A notification despatched out Wednesday to residents who downloaded the app stated: “As soon as a brand new vendor is chosen, enhancements might be made to the Florida Good ID software.” The brand new app needs to be developed by early 2025, the discover stated.
Within the meantime, the discover stated, folks ought to take away the app from their good gadgets since it’s not useful.
“Please word, your knowledge stays safe with the Division,” the discover stated.
Laptop techniques throughout the state’s Division of Well being and Division of Juvenile Justice have been hacked earlier this 12 months.
When requested for a response, a Florida Division of Freeway Security and Motor Automobiles spokeswoman stated: “We’ve got acquired your e-mail and might be in contact.”
A number of customers have been stunned by the app’s disappearance.
“I’ve been utilizing the Florida Good ID app for awhile and simply acquired an e-mail out of the blue that they’re redeveloping with a brand new vendor and thus the Digital ID can’t be used till 2025. What the heck. Florida is such a large number,” Korin Reid from Wellington posted on X, previously Twitter.
Josh Buonocore responded that he hopes Florida switches to Apple or Google Wallets. “However I’m relieved to see that whereas the state isn’t proud of the seller and eliminated it, our ‘knowledge stays safe with the Division,’ lolol.”
The company contracted with Thales Protection and Safety, a Clarksburg, Maryland-based subsidiary of a French firm, in July 2020 to develop the app for $1.8 million as a part of its modernization efforts. Thales acquired $1.05 million in 2021 for creating it and one other $400,000 in June for upkeep, in line with state buy orders.
In keeping with IDScan.internet, the company soft-launched the app in 2022 — which allowed folks to obtain their driver’s license data onto their good gadget and have it displayed as a QR code or bar code scan.
Initially, the state didn’t require Florida regulation enforcement companies or companies to just accept the digital ID and other people nonetheless needed to carry their printed license with them whereas driving. However later the state stated the app could possibly be used instead of a bodily license.
Nonetheless, it by no means gained huge recognition amid stories it was troublesome to make use of. Florida has issued an estimated 18 million driver’s licenses, however as of 2023, the app has solely been downloaded 154,000 instances, in line with the South Florida Solar-Sentinel.
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Individuals reported that it couldn’t be downloaded into Apple Pockets or that they had issue activating it or taking a required selfie.
PCMag reported a Thales spokesperson stated the corporate’s contract with the company expired June 30.
“The challenge has now entered a brand new part wherein the (Florida Division of Freeway Security and Motor Automobiles) necessities have advanced, necessitating a retender,” Thales informed PCMag. “Thales selected to not compete on this tender. Nevertheless, we’re happy to have been part of this pioneering resolution and desires it continued success.”
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