Haven't used digital boarding passes or NFR payment, have you...
Yes, I have. That's how I know how they work as I described.
When scanned, the "ID" (on my phone) never leaves my possession, whoever is scanning has their own apparatus (boarding pass scanner/NFR reader).
Yes? And? What does this have to do with what I wrote, which was:
That said, I'm still not a fan of digital IDs since it's often the case that a cop takes your physical card into possession at least for a little while.
You don't appear to realize that people will be able to present their Digital IDs with devices as small as Apple Watches. When using Digital ID's the scan does not take place in your absence, because much like NFR payments, you authenticate the transaction with touchID/FaceID/tapping the crown on a previously authenticated Apple Watch. Thus, whoever is asking for your Digital ID is bringing his reader to you or bringing you to his reader.
See: https://www.apple.com/newsroom...
In particular this part: "customers will be able to add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to present it to the TSA, without taking out their physical card or handing over their device."
Note that this paragraph has to do with cops who do often take your physical license away from you, for example at a traffic stop. This is a different case than my previous example of a TSA agent who does not take your boarding pass (not ID) away from you, but who often does take your ID away from you, briefly, to examine it).
Cops/TSA take the ID away:
1 To clearly see the ID in order to type it into a search and validate that it is a valid ID (and if it's a cop, to verify that the person described has no outstanding warrants).
2 To make sure that the ID appears valid and not a counterfeit.
3 To compare the small picture with your face to be sure the ID presented corresponds to the person presenting it.
The first will be moot with Digital IDs. Cops will no longer need to see the ID clearly to avoid wrong person errors due to retranscription errors because the info is sent digitally.
The second will be moot because Digital ID's are signed so no fake ID's (until certificate signatures become a problem).
The last will no longer apply when those validating that Digital IDs start using them because they will have a screen with your face & other details (height, weight, etc) displayed.
The only reason I gave the TSA agent example was to highlight that it's not necessary to unlock one's phone to show "something" be that a boarding pass or, very likely, an ID such as a state driver's license.
You're making incorrect assumptions, rendering your conclusions invalid.
I'm clear on how Digital IDs will be presented and validated, you still have a way to go yet. You will not be handing your phone/watch over to an agent/cop any more than you hand your phone/watch over to a waiter to pay using NFR today. That's not how it works.