Austria Launches Successful Digital Identity Verification System
Austria has introduced a new digital identity credential, known as ID Austria, which is now available through the "eID" app. This innovative solution aims to streamline citizens' interactions with official services while prioritizing security and data protection.
## Key Features and Benefits of ID Austria
ID Austria offers a range of features designed to enhance user experience and efficiency. Users can authenticate securely using multiple methods, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, device password, or PIN code. This credential serves as a digital ID card, recognized as a valid form of personal identification throughout Austria.
The app enables online procedures for various administrative tasks, including applying for voting cards, changing residence, and managing steps from pregnancy to birth. It also facilitates registration, de-registration, and re-registration of main and secondary residences, as well as document services for ordering extracts from civil status registers.
ID Austria boasts cross-platform search functionality for administrative topics and integration with key Austrian digital portals. It provides centralized access to multiple government services without the need for repeated logins and offers a digital receipt of official letters and a chatbot for assistance.
## Alignment with GDPR and EIDAS 2.0
ID Austria aligns with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and upcoming EU digital identity standards, notably EIDAS 2.0. The app requests only necessary personal data for authentication and service delivery, adhering to GDPR’s principle of data minimization. Users can track their ID Austria usage history and have control over their personal data within the app.
Strong authentication methods (biometrics, PINs) and encrypted communication protect user data from unauthorized access. The app supports qualified electronic signatures, meeting EIDAS requirements for high-trust digital transactions. It is designed for cross-border recognition and interoperability, supporting the EU’s vision for a unified digital identity wallet.
## The Role of youniqx Identity
youniqx Identity, a digital subsidiary of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), developed ID Austria. The company specializes in implementing digital ID solutions for states and providing modular software solutions for B2B customers. The success of ID Austria in Austria serves as a foundation for future supranational EUDI solutions.
The digital identity credential is ISO-compliant for EIDAS 2.0 requirements, which could allow it to be used across Europe as an official means of personal identification in the future. Helmut Lackner, CEO of WKO and board member of youniqx Identity, emphasizes the importance of delivering secure and user-friendly solutions while strictly adhering to GDPR guidelines.
Over 1.2 million digital documents, including digital driver's licenses, digital vehicle registrations, and digital age verification, have been activated in Austria as of June 2024, demonstrating the high acceptance of secure and user-friendly digital solutions in the country. The successes of youniqx Identity in delivering digital identity solutions in Austria and Liechtenstein demonstrate the company's ability to deliver what's needed for digitalization.
Finance and technology have come together in Austria's new digital identity credential, ID Austria, as it offers integration with key Austrian digital portals and centralized access to multiple government services, streamlining financial transactions and administrative tasks for citizens. ID Austria, developed by youniqx Identity, also aligns with GDPR and upcoming EU digital identity standards, emphasizing secure data management and protection, thereby ensuring a strong foundation for future financial transactions in the digital age.
