I’m Kayla. I test stuff for a living. People kept asking me about “Bill Gates’ digital ID.” So I spent a few weeks using the things folks mean when they say that. I wanted simple answers. Not rumors.
For another independent perspective on the same topic, there’s a detailed hands-on review that’s worth skimming.
You know what? It’s not one app. It’s a mix of tools, pilots, and rules. Some are made by Microsoft. Some are funded by the Gates Foundation along with other groups. There’s no chip. It’s mostly QR codes, apps, and servers. Boring, but useful.
Let me explain what I actually used.
What people mean by it (in plain words)
- Microsoft has tech called Entra Verified ID. It lets you hold a “credential” on your phone. Like a work badge, but digital. (More on how it works in Microsoft’s official documentation.)
- The Gates Foundation helps fund digital ID projects with partners. Think standards, health records, and ID research.
- Health cards and age checks get lumped into this, even if they’re not run by Gates or Microsoft.
If you're curious about the standards powering these systems, the free primer at OpenID Book walks through how protocols like OpenID stitch the whole digital-identity puzzle together. States are getting into the act, too; see how one early adopter handled it in this real-world review of Arkansas’s digital ID.
So I tried four real things, day to day.
1) Microsoft Entra Verified ID + LinkedIn check
This felt the most “Gates-y,” since Bill co-founded Microsoft.
I used the Microsoft Authenticator app to get a “Verified ID” for my work. My client runs on Entra. I went to their portal, scanned a QR code with Authenticator, and boom—a credential landed in my phone. It said “employment.”
Then I opened LinkedIn. I used the “verify workplace” flow. It asked me to present that credential. I tapped, gave consent, and got a neat little check on my profile.
Did it work? Yep.
Was it smooth? Mostly.
Weird bit? The QR scan felt old school. But it’s simple, so I’ll take it.
(If you want the full rundown of features Microsoft shipped when this tool left preview, the team’s general-availability announcement on the Microsoft Security Blog walks through the highlights.)
Privacy note: I only shared “yes, I work here.” Not my full HR file. That “share only what’s needed” idea is called “selective disclosure.” Fancy words. Clear benefit.
2) My pharmacy’s SMART Health Card
Next, I pulled my vaccine record. My pharmacy gave me a SMART Health Card QR code. I added it to my phone wallet. Later, my kid’s school asked for proof at a band event. I showed the code. They scanned. Done.
This isn’t a Microsoft thing. And it’s not “Gates-owned.” But folks lump it into “digital ID.” It’s close enough, since it’s your data in a QR that can be checked.
Good part: fast.
Bad part: if your phone dies, so does your plan. Carry paper as backup. I learned that the hard way at a crowded gym. Humbling.
3) MOSIP demo wallet (sandbox play)
MOSIP is a public platform used by some countries to build digital IDs. The Gates Foundation and others support areas of this space. I used the public demo. I issued a test ID to myself and “presented” it on a sample site.
It felt like Lego blocks for ID. Not pretty. But it showed the idea: you hold your ID, and you choose what to share. Commercial hardware makers are experimenting as well—here’s a no-fluff look at what happened after a year with the ASUS Digital ID.
Real talk: the average person won’t touch a demo. It’s for builders. Still, it helped me see the engine under the hood. And yes, it worked fine after a couple tries. I did break it once by rushing. Patience helps.
4) Yoti age check for beer delivery
One Friday, I had a delivery app ask for age proof. I used Yoti. Quick selfie. Scan of my license. Then I shared an “18+ only” token. The driver saw “yes, of age,” not my address or height or the bad hair photo. Thank you.
Again, not a Gates product. But it’s the same pattern. Show less. Prove enough.
Small gripe: the face match step took two tries in low light. Kitchen lighting is not studio lighting. I stood by the fridge like a goof.
One place this kind of selective age proof really pays off is inside popular chat apps, where fake or underage accounts can ruin the vibe. If you hang out in adult Kik rooms, a shortcut is the curated roster of verified users on SextLocal’s Kik girls page—they vet the profiles first, so you spend your time chatting with real, 18-plus people instead of sifting through spam.
If you ever browse escort listings while passing through Georgia—say you’re looking for a spontaneous meet-up in Douglasville—having a ready-to-flash digital age credential can spare both you and the provider an awkward ID exchange at the door. The city-specific roundup at Listcrawler Douglasville lets you see who’s available, compare verified photos, and filter listings by service and availability, streamlining the whole process for a faster, safer connection.
What worked well
- Convenience: No rummaging for a card. A few taps.
- Privacy by design: Share “yes/no” instead of dumping your whole life.
- Speed at the door: LinkedIn check was under a minute. So was the health card scan.
- Clear audit trail: Apps showed what I shared and when. Helpful for peace of mind.
What bugged me
- Setup friction: First time is fussy. Scans. Selfies. Waiting.
- Phone dependency: Dead battery = no entry. Paper backup matters.
- Support gaps: If the checker’s scanner is old or the Wi-Fi is weak, you wait.
- Grandma gap: My grandma has a flip phone. She’s not doing this. We need fair paper paths.
- Names and myths: The “Bill Gates” label pulls in wild claims. The tech is just… tech.
Safety and privacy, in plain words
- No chip in your arm. It’s apps and QR codes. Full stop.
- Your phone holds credentials. You choose when to share.
- Some systems use “verifiable credentials.” It means the checker can see it’s legit without calling a big database every time.
- Still, trust matters. Who issues IDs? Who checks them? If the rules are bad, the tech won’t save us.
I kept my phone on a PIN. I turned on Face ID. I also used app locks. Basic, but it helps.
So, is “Bill Gates’ digital ID” good?
Kind of a trick question. There’s no single “Gates ID.” There are Microsoft tools I liked, and there are projects the Gates Foundation helps fund with others. Some are great. Some are still clunky.
Who will like it:
- People who hate carrying cards
- HR teams who need fast proof for vendors
- Event staff who want quick checks
- Folks who care about sharing less, not more
Who should wait:
- Anyone with a weak phone or bad data plan
- People in places with spotty scanners
- Anyone who just loves paper (no shame)
Tiny tips from my week
- Screenshot your QR as a fallback. Not perfect, but handy.
- Carry a paper copy anyway. Rain happens. Batteries die.
- Learn where your data sits in each app. Tap “settings,” then “privacy.” Don’t skip it.
- Try one small use case first. Maybe LinkedIn work check, then health card later.
My bottom line
The tools tied to this “Bill Gates digital ID” idea are not magic. They’re digital wallets for proofs. Microsoft’s Verified ID worked well for me. SMART Health Cards were smooth. Yoti was fine, minus the fridge selfie moment. The MOSIP demo showed the guts.
Honestly, I’m in. With guardrails. Give me clear rules, paper backups, and no creepy overreach. Keep the “share only what’s needed” thing. Do that, and this feels like a better wallet, not a bigger leash.
And please—charge your phone before the school concert. Learned that once. Never again.