Google establishes Android Ready SE Alliance to make Android phone as an ID card/bank card/wallet/passport
When Google launched the Pixel 3 in 2018, the device was equipped with TITAN M new tamper-proof hardware, which can ensure that the device’s firmware will not be tampered with.
In fact, this anti-tampering hardware also uses an enhanced box called StrongBox, which can provide secure key storage for applications to prevent tampering.
The StrongBox is implemented through the Keymaster HAL that resides in tamper-proof hardware, which is an important security enhancement feature Google has prepared for Android.
This technology paves the way for many functions that Google could not achieve before, including but not limited to e-wallets, digital keys, and digital ID documents.
Google said that the above-mentioned functions need to run on tamper-proof hardware, which can ensure the security of application executable files and user data and keys.
Most smartphones now use a technology called Secure Element (SE) to combat tampering, so Google believes that this technology can introduce new practical features to consumers.
In order to speed up the application of technology and provide users with the best features, Google announced the establishment of the Android Ready SE Alliance with industry members to create open-source technology.
This industry alliance will create various open-source widgets for partners to use. Partners include Kigen, NXP, STMicroelectronics, and more.
The important thing is that these functions are not only available for Android smartphones and tablets, but also for WearOS, Android Auto Embedded, and Android TVs equipped with enhanced boxes.
With the development of technology, smartphones have become very complete digital devices, which can be used to surf the Internet and can also be used to watch TV or listen to music without a separate device.
But smartphones can do much more than that. For example, we can now install various payment applications through smartphones so that we don’t need to bring a wallet when we go out.
Google hopes to continue to enhance the functions of smartphones to be able to store more key authentication information in the phone so that users do not need to carry various documents.
For example, using a mobile phone as an electronic wallet, storing an ID card or driving license in the mobile phone, and using the mobile phone as a car key can directly touch the car to realize automatic unlocking.
