At the heart of Europe with Digital Identity

The European Commission yesterday proposed a framework for European digital identity that will be available to all citizens, residents and businesses: “Citizens will be able to prove their identity and share electronic documents from their European digital identity portfolios directly from your phone. They will be able to access online services with their national digital identification, which will be recognized throughout Europe ”. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President for Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said: “European digital identity will allow us to do what we do at home in any Member State at no extra cost and with fewer obstacles. Whether it’s renting an apartment or to open a bank account outside our home country. And to do so in a secure and transparent way. In this way we will decide how much information we want to share about ourselves, with whom and for what purpose. This is an opportunity unique to immerse ourselves in the experience of what it means to live in Europe and to be European. “Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said:” EU citizens expect not only a high level of security but also of comfort whether they are dealing with national administrations, for example to file a tax return or to enroll in a European university where they need official identification the. European digital identity wallets offer them a new possibility to store and use data for all types of services, from airport check-in to car rental. “The European Digital Identity will be available to anyone who wants to use it: any EU citizen, resident and any company in the EU wishing to make use of the European Digital Identity will be able to do so. Furthermore, European digital identity wallets will be widely usable as a means of identifying users or demonstrating certain personal attributes, for the purposes of accessing public and private digital services across the Union. Users will be in control of their data: European digital identity wallets will allow people to choose which aspects of their identity, data and certificates to share with third parties and to keep track of that sharing. User control ensures that only the information that needs to be shared will be shared. To achieve this as soon as possible, the proposal is accompanied by a Recommendation. The Commission calls on the Member States to establish a common instrument by September 2022 and to start the necessary preparatory work immediately. This toolbox should include technical architecture, standards and best practice guidelines. In parallel with the legislative process, the Commission will work with Member States and the private sector on the technical aspects of the European digital identity through the Digital Europe program. The Digital Compass 2030 sets a series of objectives and milestones that the European digital identity will help achieve. For example, by 2030 all major public services should be available online, all citizens will have access to electronic health records; and 80% of citizens should use an eID solution.