The European Commission announced, on 3 June 2021, its proposal for a trust framework for a European Digital Identity which will be available to all EU citizens, residents, and businesses in the EU. In particular, the Commission highlighted that individuals will be able to verify their identity and share electronic documents from their European Digital Identity wallets via their mobile phones. Furthermore, the Commission noted that individuals will also be able to access online services with their national digital identification, which will be recognised throughout Europe, and that large platforms will be required to accept the use of European Digital Identity wallets upon request of the user, for example, to prove their age. Notably, the Commission remarked that the use of the wallet will always be at the choice of the user, putting users in control of their data.

The Commission outlined that it intends to work with Member States and the private sector on technical aspects of the European Digital Identity.

Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, commented, ''The European Digital Identity wallets offer a new possibility for them to store and use data for all sorts of services, from checking in at the airport to renting a car. It is about giving a choice to consumers, a European choice. Our European companies, large and small, will also benefit from this digital identity, they will be able to offer a wide range of new services since the proposal offers a solution for secure and trusted identification services.''

You can read the press release here, the European Digital Identity Regulation here, and the European Digital Identity Recommendation here.

UPDATE (24 February 2022)

Commission launches online consultation platform on European Digital Identity Wallets

The Commission launched, on 24 February 2022, an online consultation platform on European Digital Identity Wallets. In particular, the Commission stated that it launched the online platform to gather feedback from interested parties to shape the future of European Digital Identity Wallets in line with its proposal for a trust framework for a European Digital Identity, which will be available to all EU citizens, residents, and businesses in the EU.

You can read the press release here.