Far from Apple Cards on iOS and Google Wallet on Android, the European Union has just put its two cents into the field of digital wallets by announcing its own solution on November 28, 2024.
We are indeed learning of the creation of a new standard, EU Digital Identify Wallets (eID), which resembles a much more advanced version of France Idabilité applied to all member states of the European Union.
Advertising, your content continues below
What are EU Digital Identify Wallets (eID)?
The official press release from the European Commission specifically mentions the development of four implementing regulations aimed at establishing “uniform standards, specifications and procedures for the technical functionalities of wallets”.
The institution thus underlines that the latter will allow member countries to develop standardized and accepted throughout the States of the European Union, “while protecting personal data and privacy”.
Speaking of personal data, the European Commission specifies that it is stored locally, and is not subject to “any tracking or profiling in the design of the wallets”. A confidentiality dashboard is also planned to provide transparency on how data is shared, and with whom.
“The Fifth Implementing Regulation establishes specifications and procedures aimed at establishing a robust framework for the certification of eID wallets, ensuring that they are secure and protect privacy and data,” it says. read. This reinforces the EU's desire to protect the data stored on these new digital wallets.
Data stored
But what data are we talking about in the end? The European Commission wants to make this digital identity wallet a real Swiss army knife by first allowing the storage of a digital version of the driving license, health cards and prescriptions, diplomas, hotel reservations and transport.
The objective is also to allow access to public services in EU member countries, create a prepaid SIM card, sign contracts or even generate certificates to prove that you are a representative of an organization.
When?
Although all this is a dream, we are still far from a finished tool. The European Union has set the standards to be respected, now the Member States must develop their own solution adapted to them.
The Commission is also talking about the first digital wallets being available “by the end of 2026”. Tests have already started, with more than 360 private and public organizations working on these projects.
Advertising, your content continues below
France
