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."<p>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.<p>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.