Experts Debate Real ID Security Ahead of May 7 Deadline

The article explains that, beginning May 7, older noncompliant driver’s licenses will no longer be valid for federal facilities or domestic flights under the Real ID Act, and reviews the Real ID program’s goals and layered security features (visual, UV, and lab-level markers), DMV issuance safeguards and PII protections. It highlights a key limitation—Real IDs lack cryptographically signed RFID chips—then contrasts them with mobile driver’s licenses (MDLs), which fifteen states already offer and which proponents say provide stronger cryptographic protections, on-demand validation, and improved privacy controls.