Upgrading to The European Digital Identity Wallet
Artificial intelligence enhances the speed, precision, and effectiveness of human efforts. One of its many benefits is the development of the European Digital Identity Wallet. What is the European Digital Identity (eID)? According to the Council and Parliament, the objective is to ensure universal access to secure and trustworthy electronic identification and authentication utilizing a digital wallet on a mobile phone.
The Swedish minister for public administration, Erik Slottner believes a European Digital Wallet is indispensable. He states that more people use their credentials in daily contact with public and private entities. Employing the eID, at least 80% of European citizens would have access to a digital ID.
The eID would assure trust as the person claiming a specific identity is the person to whom that identity is assigned. However, when the wallet is issued within the electronic identification system it must meet the assurance level as high. This wallet also includes e-signatures free of charge.
The Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act)
Did you know that The Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is the world’s first AI law? This law ensures that the AI solutions used in the European Union are ethical. It also respects the privacy of European values. Why does AI need to be regulated with AI laws? Well, as useful as generative artificial intelligence tools are, they can give biased responses, spread misinformation, and put people’s personal information at risk. The AI Act legal framework consists of different rules for different risk levels from artificial intelligence. The European Union based their level of risks to human health, safety, and fundamental rights.
According to the European Union, the EU Digital Identity Wallet will be available for all European citizens and be implemented for all member states. However, it will not replace existing identification documents. But, allow European citizens to travel throughout Europe without their physical ID documents. However, the EU Digital Wallet has not been implemented yet but will take place at a national level. This includes digital identity applications used by countries such as France, Portugal, and Austria that are not interoperable yet.
Digital Identity Wallets must be interoperable, but it doesn’t mean that their features will not vary. Each member state will use its designs and features but must share features throughout Europe. It must also obtain security certifications implemented at a national level.
The Pros of eID
The digital identification wallet provides many benefits, such as a stepping stone into the self-sovereign identity model. The digital identity model is designed to put the control and sharing of personal information in the hands of the individual.
Another benefit of the eID wallet is the possibility of incorporating all the existing identity schemes in Europe into a single access point. This means it will be easier for qualified trust service providers to offer services to individuals, such as electronic signatures and certified emails.
Lastly, the eID wallet will also be a more innovative conception of identity. Additionally, it will provide individuals the ability to choose precisely what information to share and when.
The Cons of eID
The digital identification wallet also has its cons. One of its risks is a decline in national identity systems. The European wallet could be rendered obsolete or fail to take into account the digital identities currently available to and used by individuals.
Another con of the eID is the absence of private stakeholders in the ecosystem. The private sector involvement in the eID wallet should be encouraged with a two-way business model that or other identity-related crimes will increase.
Lastly, another con of the eID is the certification of the wallets. Digital wallets are legally and technically impossible to sell on the market. This software must be open source and be published under a free license so that everything is traceable and people with free operating systems are not excluded.
Electronic Identification Wallets are the Future
Recent surveys state that European citizens look forward to the eID Wallet system. More than 27% of respondents already use some form of official national Digital ID scheme. Another 45% rely on insecure DIY scans and photos of their documents to prove their identity.
Every region is adopting a digital ID framework of its own. Each is advancing at its own pace and introducing different approaches while facing challenges. Ultimately, each has the goal of introducing mobile ID wallets to optimize day-to-day identification to move forward into a digitalized world.
