Qualified trusted service providers such as Validated ID will be key to the deployment of a decentralized identity model that respects citizens' privacy.
The Internet was born without a digital identity layer. Those of us in Digital Identity always use the cartoon that Peter Steiner published in The New Yorker in 1993.
This means that, more than 30 years later, we still do not have a simple and secure way to prove who we are in the online world, or to manage our personal data while guaranteeing privacy. This has generated numerous inconveniences, such as the proliferation of identity theft, data theft, lack of interoperability between services or loss of privacy.
To solve this challenge, when blockchain technologies emerged, a decentralized identity model (or SSI) and guarantor of people's privacy was defined. A model based on citizens using wallets in our mobile devices, where we will have our data under control. Thus, we will be able to share only the information necessary for each interaction, without depending on intermediaries or exposing our data to third parties. In other words, the usability of Apple Wallet, but with reliable data under our control.
The European Union, which leads the way in defending the rights of individuals, proposed in 2021 the reform of the eIDAS regulation, which governs electronic identification and trust services in the digital single market. This reform was inspired by the principles of the decentralized identity model or SSI (Self-Sovereign Identity). Less than three years later, this reform has been approved by the European Parliament and the European Council. With this, Europe is leading the way in the definitive creation of a universal identity model that offers security, trust and privacy guarantees at a global level.
One of the most relevant elements of the reform is the fundamental role that Qualified Trust Service Providers (qTSPs), such as Validated ID, will play in the ecosystem.
These providers will be in charge of issuing and verifying the digital credentials we will use in our digital wallets, ensuring their legal validity and compliance with European standards. In addition, qTSPs will facilitate interoperability between different identity systems, both national and sectoral, creating a common space of digital trust.
At Validated ID we have been working on the SSI model since 2017, being pioneers and having participated in the main initiatives from the beginning, and having helped the EU in projects such as the EBSI (European Blockchain Services Infrastructure) and currently participating in several of the LSPs (Large Scale Pilots) driven by the EU, such as the EWC (EU Digital Wallet Consortium), the TRACE4EU or the EBSI-VECTOR.
In addition, we have recently completed the development, in collaboration with Seidor, of the Camins Project of the Catalan Universities, which allows students and professors to have a digital wallet with their academic credentials.
eIDAS2 represents a historic step for the development of the digital society in Europe, as it will allow citizens to access public and private services easily and securely, with full legal recognition and respect for their fundamental rights. It also represents an opportunity for companies and organizations that want to offer innovative and quality services, based on trust and transparency. And, of course, it is a challenge for trust service providers, who will have to adapt to the new market demands and standards.
The identity model proposed by eIDAS2 has multiple benefits for citizens, companies and society in general.
On the one hand, citizens will be able to exercise greater control over their data, decide what information they share and with whom, and revoke access when they wish. In addition, they will be able to access services in a more agile and convenient way, without the need to repeat registration or verification processes. On the other hand, companies and organizations will be able to offer more personalized and efficient services, reducing the costs and risks associated with handling personal data. In addition, they will be able to increase customer trust and loyalty by demonstrating their commitment to privacy and security protection. Finally, society in general will benefit from a more inclusive and democratic identity model that encourages citizen participation, transparency and accountability.
In short, the secure, trusted, interoperable and privacy-assuring identity layer for this increasingly digital world is just around the corner. The impetus from the EU, and the role of trusted service providers such as Validated ID, will be key to its deployment. If you want to know more about eIDAS2 and the SSI model, we invite you to visit our website and follow us on our social media.
