Unique Identifier for Smartphones set to launch in 1.5 years - Government Official Predicts Rollout of Mobile Device Identification System within 18 Months
Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger of the CDU reveals that a new, smartphone-compatible digital ID card is set to launch within the next one and a half years. This development was shared during the "Technology Experience Convention" in Heilbronn, an event organized by the Handelsblatt and the digital division of the Schwarz Group.
Wildberger expressed optimism about the progress of the digital wallet's development, stating that the digital ID card will be available by the end of 2026, with an earliest possible rollout in early 2027. Yet, he emphasizes that perfection is not guaranteed in the digital realm, cautioning against overpromising and underdelivering. The implementation will progress gradually, with added features unveiled over time.
This digital identity card serves purposes beyond mere online verification. It will empower citizens to digitally sign documents and even open bank accounts online, streamlining administrative processes and digital transactions. The e-ID, driver's licenses, health insurance cards, academic credentials, and vaccination records can all be digitally stored within the smartphone application.
The adoption of this digital identity system is voluntary, ensuring no compulsion for those choosing to utilize it. Key documents, from ID cards to driver's licenses, will be accessible through a unified digital wallet for enhanced convenience. Credit cards and certificates may also be integrated into the system.
The initiative to pioneer this digital identity project was set in motion by the traffic light government and is based on an EU regulation mandating every member state to provide at least one state ID application by 2027. Notably, EU countries like Estonia already have digital ID cards as the standard.
[1] Source omitted for brevity. The new digital identity card aims to streamline document signing processes, enable remote bank account creation, and serve as a repository for essential documents like driver's licenses, health insurance cards, academic credentials, and vaccination records. The digital wallet, inclusive of the e-ID, is voluntary, available on smartphones, and could potentially integrate credit cards and certificates.
The new community policy includes the introduction of a smartphone-compatible digital ID card, set to launch within the next one and a half years. This digital wallet, part of the policy, will offer vocational training in the form of storing essential documents like driver's licenses, health insurance cards, academic credentials, vaccination records, and potentially credit cards and certificates, all on a smartphone application.
