EU Council Approves New Digital Identity Framework
The European Council has recently adopted a transformative regulation for a European digital identity (eID), marking a significant advancement in the digital transformation of the EU. This new framework introduces the European digital identity wallet (EDIW), designed to provide citizens and businesses across Europe with a secure and trustworthy electronic identification and authentication system. By 2026, each EU member state is required to make these digital wallets available, ensuring that they are recognized EU-wide without the need for private identification methods or unnecessary sharing of personal data.
The regulation emphasizes user control and privacy, allowing individuals to manage their personal data and share electronic documents effortlessly through their mobile devices. The digital wallets will link national digital identities with other personal attributes such as driving licenses and bank accounts, simplifying access to various services. Additionally, the wallets will operate on an open-source code, although member states have the discretion to withhold certain software components for justified reasons.
Significant safeguards have been included in the regulation to prevent discrimination against individuals who opt not to use the digital wallet, which will remain entirely voluntary. The framework also ensures that the issuance, use, and revocation of the digital wallets are free of charge for all natural persons. Moreover, the regulation requires member states to provide mechanisms for the free validation of electronic attestations, enhancing the overall security and trustworthiness of the digital identity scheme.
Looking forward, the regulation will be published in the EU’s Official Journal soon and will come into force 20 days post-publication, with full implementation slated for 2026. This initiative not only sets a global benchmark in digital identity but also significantly improves the interface between citizens and public services, streamlining administrative processes and enhancing data protection.
