Apart from being a physical identification and travelling document within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Swiss Confederation, Latvia’s eID card ensures secure authentication for services online and the creation of a legally binding digital signature. This is provided by the appropriate authentication certificate, a means for creating and signing electronic documents, and 120 free-of charge time stamps included in the eID card. Residents of Latvia now have a choice to dispose of the identification card, passport or both the aforementioned documents for personal identification.
Read more: LV: Electronic identity card available from April 2012
The Latvija.lv portal is the largest and most convenient site on the Internet for information and eServices of Latvian state institutions and local governments. Currently it has 44 eServices, as well as contact data for more than 1940 services provided by various government and local authorities. It is maintained and developed by the State Regional Development Agency (SRDA).
Read more: Services of Latvija.lv portal now available via online banking at a fifth bank
In 2013, LVL 16.4 million will be spent on the development of e-government services.
Over the past five years, approximately LVL 35 million was invested in the development of e-government services, writes LETA.
Read more: LV: LVL 32 mln to be invested in development of e-government services in 2012
One year after the introduction of the virtual eSignature, more than 10 000 persons have authenticated online at the eSignature website (www.eparaksts.lv), and there are currently around 5 000 smart card-based eSignature users. The number of smart cards issued has risen to almost twice that of 2010, the majority of the users being authorities and businesses; with the introduction of the virtual eSignature, the number of individuals making use of the smart card has decreased.
Read more: LV: Virtual eSignature celebrates first anniversary, eID ready to launch
The virtual eSignature certificate allows one to sign a document electronically on the Latvian eSignature portal www.eparaksts.lv without having to use a smart card. Currently, the virtual eSignature may only be purchased by individuals, but it can be used for signing the documents of legal entities, if an individual has the required signatory rights.