Cyta Adopts Cyprus Government’s Digital ID System for Customer Verification

Cyta, Cyprus’ leading telecommunications provider, announced the adoption of the government’s digital identity verification system through the “Digital Citizen” application, with implementation beginning December 23, 2024. The initiative aims to streamline customer identification processes at Cyta stores, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation program that launched earlier this month.

The digital verification system allows customers to identify themselves electronically at Cyta locations, enhancing service efficiency. Cyta has trained its staff to verify and recognize digital documents to ensure reliable transaction processing, implementing security protocols similar to those used in government services.

“We are listening carefully to our customers’ needs for simpler and more modern transactions,” said Spyros Christofides, Cyta’s Customer Experience Director. “The acceptance of digital identity is a natural evolution that responds to our times and enhances the speed and ease of service for our customers.”

The implementation is in line with Cyprus’ broader digital transformation strategy, centered around the IDMe.cy system developed since 2019. In October 2024, the government approved the distribution of 100,000 digital identity cards over three years, with 30,000 offered at no cost. This initiative supports Cyprus’ compliance with the European Union’s eIDAS 2.0 regulation, which requires member states to implement digital identities and wallets by 2026, following the EU’s comprehensive framework for secure digital identification.

The “Digital Citizen” application, launched in December 2024, provides digital storage for identity cards, driving licenses, and other official documents. The system facilitates identity verification across both public and private sector services, incorporating security features that meet EU cybersecurity standards. The platform builds upon successful implementations in other EU member states, including Italy’s pioneering digital wallet initiative.

As a semi-government organization, Cyta maintains extensive telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber optic networks and satellite communications. The company’s adoption of digital identification represents another step in Cyprus’ ongoing digital transformation efforts, following the government’s broader strategy to modernize public services and enhance digital accessibility for its citizens.

The implementation is part of a wider European trend toward digital identity adoption in the telecommunications sector, where secure customer verification has become increasingly crucial for preventing fraud and ensuring regulatory compliance. The system’s integration with Cyta’s existing customer service infrastructure is expected to serve as a model for other private sector entities in Cyprus.

Sources: Cyprus Mail

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December 20, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team