Italy has launched the pilot of its first digital ID system on October 23, 2024. The trial program is part of a larger initiative to digitize key identity documents and services, which will eventually lead to the full implementation of the IT Wallet by 2025.
The initial phase involves 50,000 citizens who can now access digital versions of their driving licenses, health cards, and European Disability Cards through the “Io” app of the Ministry of the Interior. The project is seen as a crucial phase in Italy’s broader goal of aligning its identity verification systems with European Union standards for digital identity, particularly those outlined in the eIDAS regulation.
In this preliminary stage, the digital documents available—driving licenses, health cards, and disability cards—cannot yet be used for online services or self-service systems. However, they are fully functional for day-to-day life, allowing individuals to present their digital license or card as they would their physical counterparts.
For example, during traffic checks, the digital driving license can be shown to law enforcement, functioning identically to a physical one. Similarly, the digital health card will allow individuals to book diagnostic exams and prescriptions, while the digital European Disability Card can be presented for identification where needed. This limited rollout serves as a testbed to gauge the service’s practical use and effectiveness.
The expansion of this digital identity service will take place in phases over the coming months, with 250,000 more users gaining access on November 6, 2024, and 1 million by November 20. By December 4, the digital ID system is expected to be available nationwide. Following the pilot, the full IT Wallet will be launched in 2025, offering not only personal and professional documents but also a range of certificates, electoral and civil documents, transportation passes, and subscriptions for sports and cultural events.
These digital documents will be accessible through a hybrid model, allowing users to use them online, physically, or in a combination of both settings.
Italy’s digital ID initiative is part of the broader European Digital Identity (EUDI) framework. The IT Wallet, the core element of this system, is designed to simplify how citizens interact with public and private services by consolidating various identity documents and credentials into one secure digital tool. As a further development from the current SPID (Public Digital Identity System), which allows users to log into government services using a single set of credentials, the IT Wallet aims to integrate more functionality and streamline access to a wider array of services. This will reduce reliance on intermediaries for identity verification, while offering greater convenience and security for users.
Despite the promising outlook for the IT Wallet, there are ongoing discussions around improving its security, particularly through the use of biometric authentication methods. Italy’s digital transformation efforts are geared toward addressing concerns such as identity theft and ensuring compliance with EU regulations. The introduction of biometric features could provide an additional layer of protection, helping to verify user identities with a higher level of accuracy and security.
Source: Il Mattino
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October 23, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
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