Digital identity, data sovereignty and the path towards a just digital transition for citizens living in the information society

Keypoints

• European citizens are interested in the implementation of digital technology solutions, with a view to simplifying the necessary administrative procedures in relation to the authorities or in everyday life in society. A digitally literate population can benefit, through digital identity, from simplified access to the services provided by public authorities or the business environment.
• Since the entry into force of the part of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 concerning electronic identification, in September 2018, only 14 Member States have notified the existence of at least one electronic identification system. As a result, only 59% of EU residents have access to secure and reliable electronic identification systems across borders. Only seven systems are fully mobile, meeting current user expectations.
• The advantages of digitalisation are obvious, but the rapid implementation of digital systems, and making citizens' access to some services of general interest conditional on having a digital identity, could in practice lead to a significant number of European citizens being denied the right to access these services.