Mobile phones have quietly become a global identity device we don’t need (2015)

I realized this around 2018 at the local gym. I was timidly inquiring about memberships, when they explained that the only way to sign in at the desk was via their app. At the time, my only mobile device was a bulky 10.1" tablet in an Otterbox, and I'm like "do I really need to lug electronics to the gym every time?" And they're like "yeah sorry this is how we do identity here."

The banks are going to that too. There's an app my bank has that authenticates you for in-person in-branch encounters. Thankfully, my bank is like a tight family, and all the tellers get to know us individually, in the best spirit of KYC.

So it's a real thing, for better or for worse. On the bright side, I think it's high time we upgraded the little plastic squares we carry around in our wallets. Those hologram/magstripe devices on them were getting ridiculous. It's always one step ahead of (or behind) the counterfeiters and forgers.