The German eID card makes it possible for individual card holders to access online services anywhere and anytime with the use of a secret PIN. Optionally, the card can be used for signing electronically digital documents such as contracts or proxies. The use of the online identity function is voluntary.
It is planned that in the next few years, the German eID card will be established as the standard proof of identity on the Internet, making the use of the services provided by government and companies significantly safer and easier.
Among the first cities that have increasingly enabled the use of the card's online ID function for administrative proceedings on the Internet are Munster, Hagen and Ingolstadt. Moreover, a popular public service requiring the use of the eID card is that for accessing pension-related information from the German state pension insurance scheme.
According to a recent survey, around 60 % of the public authorities, including local governments, are planning to use the new ID card; they see them as an important contribution to the modernisation of government and the increase of efficiency.
"The new identity card is the world's most secure and modern ID document. It enhances the security of citizens on the Internet. The German eID infrastructure meets the high national and European data security and privacy requirements. At the same time, the new ID card offers great potential for companies and authorities", explained Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, Federal Minister of the Interior, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the card.
"The new identity card has enormous efficiency potential. The insurance industry is at the forefront of its use, having already integrated the new ID card into many applications of its services. Moreover, many governments shift to eGovernment services (...)", the Minister continued.
The introduction of the new ID card is one of the largest IT projects in the German public sector. A total of approximately 23 000 employees in more than 5 300 ID card authorities have been trained for the new work processes.
At international level, the German eID card "enjoys a high reputation and is considered to be a particularly innovative and privacy-friendly solution", according to the article of the Federal Government Commissioner for Information Technology. In the near future, EU member states will join forces to develop interoperable solutions and cross border applications for electronic ID cards. "The newly agreed cooperation [between Germany and] Poland is an important first step and it is exemplary in Europe", the same article reports.
Background information
The digital data printed on the card as well as the photograph are stored in the chip of the card. It is also possible to include two fingerprints - on a voluntary basis - in order to make it easier for authorities to associate the identity card with the card holder even more reliably. These biometric data are accessible only to the government and are not transmitted over the Internet.
Further information:
- Original news article - Federal Government Commissioner for Information Technology (in German)
- German ID card website (in German)
- Related ePractice news article - DE: New identity card with electronic functions released
- Background information - ePractice eGovernment Factsheet for Germany
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Quelle/Source: epractice, 16.12.2011
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