Leaked EC presentation on European Digital Identity

On 22 September, the European Commission gave a presentation on European Digital Identity during a Council meeting on Telecommunications and Information Society.

In this (leaked) presentation, the European Commission explains the state of play of digital identity in Europe. It observes that there is currently no user choice for a trusted and secured identification that could be widely used. The European Commission concludes that a universal European Digital Identity is needed. This identity could be used by businesses and citizens -on a voluntary basis- for public and private services.

Please find below the link to the leaked presentation and the key elements from this document.

Background: “no user choice for trusted and secure identification”

The European Commission explains that there is currently no user choice for trusted and secure identification that protects personal data and can be widely used. It also observes that the role of private digital identities and platforms is increasing.

Moreover, the presentation underlines the limited progress made in relation to notified eIDs (in the framework of eIDAS). It states that there is “limited offer” -with 14 Member States having notified an eID- and “limited access” -with 55% of the EU population covered by a notified scheme in their Member State. The document notes that not all Member States are able to ensure connection. Overall, there is low digitalisation in the public sector: only 14% of public providers offer eIDAS authentication.

The Commission proposes a European Digital Identity

The presentation refers to Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech. The President stated that “the Commission will soon propose a secure European e-identity. One that we trust and that any citizen can use anywhere in Europe […] A technology where we can control ourselves what data and how data is used”.

The presentation concludes that there is a need for a European Digital identity which would be universally available (citizens and businesses), universally useable (public and private services “EU single-sign-on”) and protecting personal data. The use of this European Digital identity would remain voluntary for users.

Member States seem to be supportive of such a proposal.  In the draft conclusions for next European Council, Member States call for the “development of an EU-wide secure public electronic identification (eID) to provide people with control over their online data as well as to enable access to public, private and cross-border digital services.” It further enjoins the Commission to come forward with a proposal by mid-2021.

Next steps:

Public consultation on eIDAS remains open until 2 October.

A revision of the law is expected in the Digital Services Act package

If you have any questions on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact Camille Dornier - Policy Manager: camille.dornier@eurosmart.com