In this respect, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on e-signatures, e-identification (eID) and authentication in a bid to develop the European Digital Single Market.
The public consultation focuses on issues including the usefulness of e-signatures and eID user, the potential additional trust-building services such as time stamping, mobile usage and the legal recognition of electronic consent by clicking I accept. It also tackles the ICT sectors contribution on e-signatures in terms of security requirements and standardization, the mutual recognition of e-identification and e-authentication in Europe and the development of new e-identification and e-signatures authentication, such as alternatives to Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) used for the management of electronic signatures and eID cards.
eID and authentication are set to enable both users and providers to make online transactions but in order to be effective, they must work in all member states.
The Digital Agenda for Europe represents a strategy for boosting digital economy by 2020. The online consultation is available until 15 April 2011.
The Commission is already involved in a pilot project, dubbed STORK (Secure identity across borders linked) which is set to allow cross-border recognition of eID systems and access to public services in 18 European countries. Via STORK, the EU citizens will be able to prove their identity and use national electronic identity systems (passwords, ID cards, mobile phones and others) across the EU.
Every day we send out a free e-mail with the most important headlines of the last 24 hours.
Subscribe now