Europe launches digital ID scheme

Member States in the European Union must provide a digital ID wallet to their citizens by 2026, pursuant to an EU regulation that took effect Monday.

What is the EUDI?

The European Union Digital Identity (EUDI) wallet is a digital wallet that stores a taxpayer’s identity papers such as driver’s license, health insurance card, diplomas and other documents. 

“The EU Digital Identity Wallet is designed as a convenient and secure method for European citizens and businesses to authenticate their identity, using their digital ID for both public and private sector interactions,” the European Commission's website claims. “Users can store various digital documents within the wallet, ranging from academic credentials to transportation passes, and use it for signing into private platforms, such as social networks. This approach is more secure and user-friendly than managing numerous passwords.”

How will the wallet be used?

The digital wallet will be used to access public and private services. Uses include making payments, opening a bank account, getting prescriptions, signing contracts, traveling, accessing government services, receiving social security benefits, logging into social media accounts, and others. 

“It can also be used to facilitate the freedom of movement by storing documents such as the European Health Insurance Card,” explains the European Commission (EC) on its website.

Under the current rules, the EUDI will be optional for taxpayers. 

Critics raise concerns about the wallet

The EUDI wallet’s main selling point is that users will be able to share only the details necessary to authenticate themselves for a given service. All other personal information will remain hidden. The EC expects this will satisfy widespread privacy concerns.

But concerns about the wallet still remain. The main worry is that while users only share those details that are necessary, the government can decide at any point which information is “necessary” to share. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the European Commission made proof of vaccination necessary to access services and establishments. Prior to that, each taxpayer’s health information was considered confidential.

Is the EUDI a precursor to global vaccine passports?

In fact, the EUDI is being seen as a stepping stone to a global vaccination certificate. 

In June last year, the World Health Organization announced the launch of its “digital health partnership” with the European Commission that will involve the development of global vaccine passports among other “digital products to deliver better health for all.”

According to the WHO, the passport system will allow “global mobility” and protect people not only from “future health threats” but from those that are “on-going."

“In June 2023, the WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system that will help facilitate global mobility and protect citizens across the world from on-going and future health threats, including pandemics,” announced the WHO in a statement.

The organization clarified that this will likely include a global vaccine passport, much like many western countries used during the COVID-19 pandemic:

This partnership will work to technically develop the WHO system with a staged approach to cover additional use cases, which may include, for example, the digitisation of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Expanding such digital solutions will be essential to deliver better health for citizens across the globe.

As a “first step”, the WHO and European Commission will “ensure that the current EU digital certificates continue to function effectively.”