The department emailed app users Wednesday and said FLHSMV “is working to enhance services to its customers” by revising the app.
It asked people who have the app on their phone to delete it from their device, as it will no longer be functional, and reassured users that all obtained data will remain secure. Florida Smart ID has since been deactivated.
The app was launched in 2022 as a collaboration between FLHSMV and Thales, a third-party identity management vendor.
At the time, Steve Purdy, the former head of sales and marketing for Thales’ identity and verification business branch, told Government Technology*, “The way it works is that we are responsible for the backbone of the app’s credentialing services,” and “we will also oversee authentication updates along with other verification requirements.”
FLHSMV spent nearly $2 million to develop the app, according to a report from Orlando's News 6. Now, however, the agency is searching for a new vendor to make changes to the app.
“Once a new vendor is selected, improvements will be made to the Florida Smart ID application,” the email said. “We expect the new app to be developed by early 2025 and will notify you via email at that time.”
According to the News 6 article, more than 521,000 people have used the app since it launched.
*This story first appeared in Industry Insider — Florida, part of e.Republic, Government Technology’s parent company.
