A significant step in the digital evolution at the societal level was recently marked by the introduction of a legal framework for a unified and secure digital wallet. Thus, the sustained efforts of the two co-legislators at the European Union level, namely the European Parliament and the Council, have materialized through the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, establishing the European Digital Identity (eID) framework.
The new framework modifies the eIDAS Regulation, in force since 2014, which serves as the cornerstone for accessing public services and conducting safe online and cross-border transactions. Following the European Commission’s proposal and three years of interinstitutional negotiations, the discussed regulation was formalized. It will come into force 20 days after publication, specifically on May 20, 2024, and will be fully effective by 2026.
This legislative act aims to create a legal framework at the Union level that gives European citizens and businesses universal access to digital wallets, enabling them to connect their national digital identities with proof of other personal attributes, such as a driver’s license, bank account, or qualifications. Therefore, European individuals and legal entities will easily use this tool to prove their identity, share electronic documents from digital wallets via mobile phones, significantly reducing the administrative burden. The new European digital identity wallets will allow citizens to access a wealth of online services using their national digital identity, which will be recognized across the European Union. They will no longer need to use traditional or private identification methods or unnecessarily (and even excessively) provide personal data. This legislative measure aims to ensure a high degree of user control over the shared information.
The European wallet will contain a dashboard of accessible transactions, both online and offline, allow reporting potential data protection violations, and facilitate interaction between wallets. Furthermore, in the context of establishing this legal framework, European citizens will also benefit from free electronic signatures for non-professional use. It is crucial to note that the provided tool is voluntary and free, with guarantees to prevent discriminatory measures against those who choose not to use it. Moreover, EU member states will be required to provide free verification mechanisms for the digital wallet’s validity.
As a result, this tool aims to ensure that all Union citizens and residents have the right to a digital identity under their exclusive personal control while participating in the digital economy. To achieve this goal, the newly introduced legal framework should be seen as an instrument to reduce technological barriers between member states and help create a more digitally integrated Union.
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Mihaela Balau – Attorney at Law
