Austrian officials unveil innovative ID card and CHECK-AT application for enhanced security and convenience
In a bid to combat the growing issue of document forgery and its links to organized crime, the Austrian government has introduced a new generation of identity cards, known as ID Austria. The new cards incorporate advanced security features and digital verification capabilities, making them more secure and less attractive to forgers and criminals.
The new ID cards are equipped with a biometric data chip, a personalized QR code, and other security elements such as a temperature-dependent colour-changing see-through window. These features make the cards more difficult to forge, significantly increasing their protective function for personal identity.
One of the key technologies powering the ID Austria is A-Trust technology, which enables advanced cryptographic functions such as hash and batch signing. This means the card can securely sign multiple documents with a single user confirmation, enhancing secure digital transactions and document authentication.
The ID Austria also supports electronic identity (eID) authentication and qualified electronic signatures (QES), which are legally recognized and increase the security of digital interactions. This feature ensures the integrity and authenticity of digital documents and transactions, further bolstering the card's security.
To aid in the verification of the new ID cards, the Austrian State Printing House has developed the "CHECK-AT" app. This app, available for iOS and Android, is designed to help determine if a genuine document is present. The app guides users through checking the digital and analog security features of the new ID card, contributing to the combat against document forgery.
The development of the new ID cards and the "CHECK-AT" app was a collaborative effort between experts from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Criminal Police Office, and the Austrian State Printing House. The new cards can be requested from passport authorities and authorized municipalities starting August 2, 2021.
Document forgery has been identified as one of the three main drivers of organized crime at the European level. In 2018, 291 forged or falsified Austrian documents were seized in the European Union, with 543 seizures in 2019 and 196 this year. The new ID cards are expected to significantly reduce these numbers.
It's worth noting that criminals rarely forge or counterfeit Austrian travel documents due to the high cost and the continuous development of these documents and the implementation of new security features. When forgeries of Austrian documents do surface, it's usually abroad.
In conclusion, the new Austrian ID cards feature robust cryptographic and electronic signature capabilities through A-Trust technology, secured by official evaluation standards, and are supported by digital apps (including the ID Austria app and potentially the CHECK-AT app) that enable reliable identity verification and digital authentication processes. These measures are expected to significantly reduce document forgery and its links to organized crime in Austria.
[1] A-Trust Technology: [4] ID Austria App: [5] Security Evaluation:
The new ID Austria cards utilize A-Trust technology, enhancing their secure digital transactions and document authentication by enabling advanced cryptographic functions like hash and batch signing.
The ID Austria App, available for iOS and Android, aids in the verification of these new cards, guiding users through checking the digital and analog security features, contributing to the fight against document forgery.
