There's this old idea (~10 years old) of having the USPS become a PKI-token agency, especially because USPS already has the infrastructure to physically deliver items to every house in the USA.

These physical tokens can be as simple as a randomly-generated QR-code, or a full and proper PKI physical token / smartcard system (or anything in between).

Furthermore, USPS needs more traffic / package deliveries (especially since its lost Amazon as a customer). Increasing the amount of goods flowing around physically in the USPS system is definitely a benefit, especially if its for ensuring the physical security of these hypothetical security tokens.

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IE: The USPS is uniquely situated to become a premier ID of the US government. Certainly more situated than the current standard, the Social Security Administration. Or the loose confederation of ~48 "RealID" state drivers license.

> There's this old idea (~10 years old) of having the USPS become a PKI-token agency

I remember common discussion of this in the early 90s, so way more than 10 years.

It does make a lot of sense. For the vast majority of people the local post office is the nearest federal government office. And the post office already handles passport applications.

The USPS is completely incompetent and led by people like DeJoy who are committed to making sure the USPS continues to decline. I don’t see what you are suggesting ever happening. Republicans would fight it tooth and nail.

> especially because USPS already has the infrastructure to physically deliver items to every house in the USA.

Not accurate. I live very close to San Francisco, but I have to get my mail at a Post Office because the USPS doesn't deliver to my door.

While you're technically correct, that's the worst kind. Surely you aren't arguing against their real point that the USPS is the most equipped federal agency for getting items to people, and for having the physical real estate proximity to people to be convenient?

These systems work by flashing screen in some coloured patterns + live feed so you're not gonna fake it.