Spring 2018 issue: references, notes and
quotes.
Index
Irish Republic; Personal Services Card and
e-Government
European Parliament and ID Cards
Security problems; Estonia;
Spain; Gemalto-related
-------------------------
https://labourlist.org/2018/03/richard-angell-why-labour-should-reconsider-id-cards/
Local
elections: Will I need photo ID?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43489456
https://www.woking.gov.uk/council/voterID
NB
Not for postal votes; pilot is only for electors who vote in person (or by
proxy) in a polling station.
https://www.woking.gov.uk/council/voterID/electorcard
LOOSE
TALK AND REPORTING 270617
SETTLED
STATUS DOCUMENT NOT AN ID CARD - DAVIS BUT READ ON
http://uk.businessinsider.com/eu-citizens-living-in-uk-will-need-identity-cards-after-brexit-2017-6
Opponents
accused minister of plotting "ID cards by the backdoor."
"The
government announcement on EU citizens leaves so much in doubt. From the
description it seems as if this is ID cards by the backdoor," Liberal
Democrat MP Ed Davey said.
"David
Davis resigned his seat and caused a by-election because he was disgusted by
the assault on civil liberties by the then Labour government. What will he do
this time round?
However,
Brexit secretary David Davis on Monday denied claims from the opposition
benches that the documents would amount to an ID card for EU citizens.
"It
is not an ID card," he said in the House of Commons.
"We
are talking about documentation to prove that people have the right to a job
and the right to residence, but they will not have to carry that around all the
time. It is not an ID card; it is rather like your birth certificate. It’s not
an ID card!"
Objection
4: Collecting EU citizens’ biometric information during the application process
would amount to Identification Cards for EU nationals ‘by the back door’
Response:
Asking EU nationals with ‘settled status’ to obtain a biometric ID card would
be no different to current arrangements which require many non-EU nationals who
have been granted leave to remain in the UK to possess a biometric ID card as
proof of their visa status. In any case, given the UK public’s strong concern
about illegal immigration, there is a good case for introducing national ID
cards in order to ascertain whether individuals have the right to live, work
and access public services in the UK. Such cards could also help improve and
streamline checks on arriving passengers and border security at ports of entry.
As the columnist Philip Collins recently argued in The Times: “ID cards are
compulsory in over 100 countries, many of which — Belgium, Germany, Israel, the
Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain, for example — are hardly surveillance
tyrannies.”
The
reassurances the3million received on 15 September also strike a radically
different tone to the clampdown on immigration proposed in the leaked
immigration document, which was written on 7 August, and leaked to the
Guardian.
The
document said that during the Brexit transition phase people who wanted to reside
in the UK for an extended period would have to provide proof of citizenship
either with a passport “or a Home Office biometric immigration document”, which
critics say amounts to an ID card system.
On
fingerprinting, the document stated that “in order to protect against identity
fraud, we may also wish to take the fingerprints of those new arrivals who are
registering”.
Here’s
what we said about ID cards in the Blair years
(Please note: newsletters might not be complete,
and some wider info will now be out of date)
http://egovstrategy.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/eGovernment-Strategy-2017-2020.pdf
Later
on in the document, the issue of how the Irish government will manage identity
is discussed briefly:
“We
will develop our existing e-ID capability – we recognise the value of eIDs as a
means to protecting our people and our businesses against fraud; improving the
overall user experience, avoiding the requirement for the public to provide the
same information to Government numerous times; and helping Public Service fully
align with Data Protection principles and legislation. The e-ID and the Digital
Services Gateway will be the means for single sign-on/authentication and
verification/update of general information (e.g. simple address information),
using the “tell us once” principle.”
...
It
is only in Annex B of the strategy that the plans to introduce what turns out
to be an ID card are mentioned:
“the
Public Services Card (PSC) infrastructure is the Government’s standard identity
verification scheme, which is to be used for access to all public services
where appropriate. As such, the widespread adoption of the PSC infrastructure,
including its online counterpart MyGovID, to underpin access to public services
by citizens is critical to the successful delivery of the eGovernment strategy”
..
As
that reveals, the Public Services Card (PSC) – which the Irish government
studiously avoids calling an ID card – will be used for access to public
services. These include key ones such as applying for a passport and obtaining a
driver’s license. The Annex notes that some will require something called
“SAFE” registration. A PowerPoint presentation on the Irish government Web site
explains that SAFE – the Standard Authentication Framework Environment – is a
set of rules-based standards for establishing and authenticating identity in
order to provide access to public services. It also includes the PSC “identity
token” – an ID card, in other words.
Putting
that all together, the Irish eGovernment Strategy means that in order for the
country’s citizens to be able to drive a car, or travel abroad, they must have
a PSC. In fact, the Irish government’s plans go far beyond simply introducing
these ID cards by stealth.
...
As
the Digital Rights Ireland organization explains:
“The
Public Services Card is actually much bigger than the card itself. It is a plan
that will result in the linking up of private, intimate details of Irish
citizens’ lives across all sections of government, including the education
system, Gardai [the Irish police force] and the Health Service. There is no
legal framework to provide for this to be done in a fair, safe and legal
manner.”
LINKED
[ https://www.digitalrights.ie/new-egovernment-strategy/
The
government has promised that the Public Services Card would not be mandatory.
But
now the government has put forward an ‘eGovernment strategy’
http://egovstrategy.gov.ie/
that
will force every citizen, young or old, rich or poor to have this card. You
will not be able to travel abroad, claim a benefit or open a savings account
without it. It is a compulsory ID card by the back door and there has been no
consultation about this.
The
Public Services Card is actually much bigger than the card itself. It is a plan
that will result in the linking up of private, intimate details of Irish
citizens’ lives across all sections of government, including the education
system, Gardai and the Health Service. There is no legal framework to provide
for this to be done in a fair, safe and legal manner. The Department of Public
Enterprise’s draft ‘Data Sharing and Governance Bill’ would provide some basis
for this, but it is only in the earliest stages of development.
...
And
there are also external threats. Sweden is reeling from a scandal where data
stored in the ‘Cloud’ as part of a unified national system has resulted in a
major nationwide data breach and a government-level scandal.
All
the signs are that the government are taking these issues very lightly. The
rights of ordinary people to privacy and protection from their government need
to be at the heart, not in the footnotes. ]
https://www.digitalrights.ie/category/id-cards/
https://www.digitalrights.ie/taoiseach-rejects-linking-public-services-card-social-media/
A
Minister pushed for this!
The
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) has firmly rejected the plan, saying “the Government
has no plans to link the Public Services Card to internet usage which I would
agree would be a restriction on privacy and people’s freedom. I have no doubt
the Minister of State Daly’s thoughts and proposals were well-intentioned but
it is certainly not something the Government is proposing to do.”
We
are glad that the Taoiseach has spoken out so strongly. However, public bodies
continue to use the PSC in ways that were never intended. Examples include the use
of the PSC in the delivery of mail by An Post, the use of the PSC by the Garda
Siochana as part of the vetting process. These uses are certainly illegal under
the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.
The use of the PSC in the process for issuing of drivers licences and
passports also raises questions. The Data protection Commissioner has
criticised the PSC and has opened an unprecedented investigation.
https://www.digitalrights.ie/tell-td-stop-psc-becoming-private-sector-id-card/
One
of the few limits on the PSC becoming a national ID card is a section which
makes it an offence for private bodies to use a PSC as a form of
identification. But a Bill currently before the Dáil would change that.
While
Government Ministers have repeatedly insisted that the public services card
will not be a national identity card, new legislation proposes removing
restrictions on its use so that individuals may use it more widely as ID….
"Currently,
a body that is not explicitly specified in the main Social Welfare Act is
prohibited from accepting the public services card as proof of identity even
where the cardholder voluntarily tenders it for this purpose"
...
The
government position is that this is purely voluntary, and that companies will
still be prohibited from demanding a PSC as proof of identity. But the reality
is that the PSC will become a de facto ID card for private services unless this
is stopped. Individuals can’t be expected to know that they have a right not to
give the PSC for identity if legislation makes this normal and routine.
https://www.digitalrights.ie/public-services-card-mandatory-access-state-services/
https://www.digitalrights.ie/dpc-investigation-public-services-card/
We
welcome the Data Protection Commissioner’s decision to extend her investigation
into the Public Services Card. The Commissioner’s investigation is
unprecedented in the Irish public sector. The card is essentially a national
identity card. The database that lies behind it is an unofficial national
population register in all but name. There is no apparent legal basis for a
national population register, and no obvious requirement for it.
A
senior official of the Department of Employment and Social Protection made what
appears to be a patently untrue statement in relation to the actions of the
Data Protection Commissioner. The official made the statement in response to a
question from Jed Nash, the Oireachtas Committee investigating the Card. The
official has apparently since been unable to produce documentation to back up
his claim.
LEADS
https://www.kildarestreet.com/committees/?gid=2018-02-22a.1268#addcomment
]
The
Irish government insists that it is not mandatory to obtain the Public Services
Card. That may be true in a theoretical sense, but for all practical purposes,
anyone who wants to live a normal life in Ireland will indeed be obliged to
obtain a PSC, and thus become part of the databases that lie behind it. The
enormity of that transformation ought to require a particularly deep and frank
public debate about the implications of such a move. Instead, the Irish government
is trying to introduce this national identity card system by stealth. Given the
UK experience of massive resistance to the idea, that probably isn’t a very
wise approach.
Paschal
Donohoe is Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
Paschal
Donohoe: State not bringing in national identity card by stealth 310817
Digital
trade
Third,
given the importance of the EU to our economy, it is absolutely essential that
we are not disadvantaged compared to the rest of Europe in terms of digital
trade and government services. The European Commission is extremely committed
to the concept of digital government and has set out ambitious plans for
cross-border egovernment and the establishment of a Digital Single Market.
MyGovID fully aligns with developing EU plans and regulations, including
Regulation (EU) N°910/2014, which addresses electronic identification and trust
services for electronic transactions in the internal market.
And
finally, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), comes into force on
25th May, 2018. This regulation standardises and strengthens citizens’ rights
in relation to data privacy.
...
[authentication]
The
Safe 2 process, as it is known, is the most robust mechanism available to the
State for providing maximum assurance on an individual’s identity. The use of
the PSC has already driven fraud out of the welfare system – it is the duty of
this government, and indeed any government, to do likewise in other areas where
citizens interact with the State, such as driving licences, passports and so
on.
...
I
have heard the calls for a new debate on the basis the PSC is somehow becoming
a national identity card.
Can
I be clear that the PSC is not, was never intended, and will not be used as
such.
Indeed
the law clearly prohibits this in article 263 of the 2005 Act to which I have
referred.
The
PSC was designed for, and only for, the provision of public services and the
purpose of its development was to improve such services by making them safer,
fairer, more consistent and more robust.
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/public-services-egovernment
Cross-border
Digital Public Services allow achieving the digital single market: in the
European Union’s internal market, people are able to move freely – either for
work or for private reasons – so they need to be able to deal easily with
public services outside their home country
As
part of its strategy, the European Commission is taking concrete actions for
the development of Cross-border Digital Public Services. These include, but are
not limited to, the creation of European interoperable platforms such as a
common framework for citizens' electronic identity management (eID),
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/european-egovernment-action-plan-2016-2020
eGovernment
Action Plan 2016-2020 Accelerating the digital transformation of government
COM/2016/0179
final
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52016DC0179&from=EN
Accelerating
the digital transformation of public services
(slides}
The
EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
http://www.ecrforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/The-eGOV-Actions-Plan-2016-2020.pdf
Commission
Staff Working Doc, 15282, on accelerating
http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=15282
Scathing!
Not
the UKIP MEP, but a German Pirate Party MEP
https://juliareda.eu/2017/05/dsm-midterm-review/
The
European Commission has today published its mid-term review of the Digital
Single Market strategy – as a Word document with “track changes” left on. At
the halfway stage, the European Commission is failing to live up to its ambitions.
Former
Digital Commissioner Oettinger let big business interests sabotage the project
of tearing down of digital borders in key areas, leaving the Digital Single
Market project with more holes than Swiss cheese.
...
The
lofty goals the Commission restates in its mid-term review are in blatant
contradiction to legislative proposals it has put before Parliament on issues
such as copyright and geoblocking:
Status
Quo: The Commission’s proposed extra copyright for news sites has been branded
“poison to European entrepreneurs” in the ScaleUp Europe Manifesto.
Startups
have warned that their ability to innovate, to compete in the global internet
economy and to create growth and jobs in Europe is under threat by copyright
reform plans.
Status
Quo: Independent academics have warned that the Commission’s proposed changes
to copyright rules for internet platforms “would introduce an unacceptable
level of uncertainty”.
In
a last minute addition to the document, the European Commission continues down
a dangerous route by announcing dialogues with industry on censorship
technologies. There will be no voice for users and no safeguards to prevent
wrongful takedowns or protect freedom of speech and expression
... it falls to the European Parliament to mend
the holes punched into the Digital Single Market by corporate lobbying and
deliver on the promise of a borderless online environment that truly benefits
the people of Europe.
Missing
pieces!
https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/digital-single-market-in-the-hotseat-in-2018/
France
and Germany first floated the idea for a digital tax based on companies’
revenues last year. The Commission rushed to embrace the plan, publishing a
communication in September with options for taxing digital firms’ profits. A
legislative proposal could be out by this spring. But there has been pushback
and member states are sharply divided over taxation, with countries like
Luxembourg and Ireland leading opposition to the plans.
(LEADS
Council document)
Governments
have a crucial role to play in the digital economy. Trust is the bedrock of
business and consumer confidence in embracing the transition to digital.
Streamlined and frictionless interactions with public authorities throughout
the EU, as is the objective of the EU eGovernment Action Plan, are essential.
The
European Commission will adopt its Strategy on digital health and care by the
end of 2017, and will update the eGovernment action plan to keep up with
digital development.
The
Digital Single Market State of
Play (EComm)
Prepared
for the Digital Summit Tallinn 29 September 2017
(p6)
"Streamlined and frictionless interactions with public authorities
throughout the EU, as is the objective of the EU eGovernment Action Plan, are
essential."
NB
also
The
European Commission will adopt its Strategy on digital health and care by the
end of 2017, and will update the eGovernment action plan to keep up with
digital development.
LEADS
(from table in Talinn doc)
EU
eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
Single
digital gateway (legal act adopted)
ICT
Standardisation priorities
European
Interoperability framework
QUOTES
COMMUNICATION
FROM THE COMMISSION
COM(2016)
179 final
EU
eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52016DC0179&from=EN
Accelerating
the digital transformation of government
(also below)
(p4)
"The digital transformation of government is a key element to the success
of the Single Market."
"The
eGovernment Action Plans have been political instruments to advance the
modernisation of public administrations across the European Union."
(p7)
"The EU Single Market cannot function effectively without cross-border
digital public services. Such services facilitate access to markets, increase
confidence in and stimulate competition across the Single Market."
(p8)
The Commission will therefore propose the creation of a Single Digital Gateway,
based on existing portals, contact points and networks, expanding, improving
and streamlining all information, assistance and problem solving services
needed to operate efficiently across borders, and enabling users to complete
the most frequently used national procedures fully on-line.
(p9) [Once-only, VAT, eJustice (incl. registers of
companies, insolvency info) will further create dependence]
(p10)
The Commission will support Member States in the development of eHealth
services that also enable cross-border exchange of e-prescriptions, based on
the e-prescription guidelines adopted by the eHealth Network31 and telemedicine
and tele-monitoring solutions, in particular for the successful provision of
treatment by European Reference Networks32. In addition, it will
support the development of a report and guidelines by the eHealth Network on
citizens' electronic access to their health data.
(p11)
As part of the European Cloud Initiative33, the Commission will create a
platform for public authorities to open their data and services, creating a
"Government as a Service (GaaS)" base for the EU.
[DSM
IS VERY PERVASVE IN INTENT
'ADMINS
WILLCATER FOR THOSE NON-DIGITAL BY CHOICE/NECESSITY' –
but
will old/Legacy systems be continued under Digital by Default policy?]
------------------------------------------------------
EU
eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
Accelerating
the digital transformation of government
COM(2016)
179 final 190416
{SWD(2016)
108 final}
{SWD(2016)
109 final}
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52016DC0179&from=EN
(p2)
The digital transformation of government is a key element to the success of the
Single Market.
...
However,
citizens and businesses are not yet getting the full benefit from digital
services that should be available seamlessly across the EU.
...
The
Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe (DSM)7 announces the
launch of a new eGovernment Action Plan for 2016-2020 that aims to remove
existing digital barriers to the Digital Single Market and to prevent further
fragmentation arising in the context of the modernisation of public
administrations. This EU eGovernment Action Plan aims to be the instrument to
join up efforts.
(p4)
Openness
& transparency: public administrations should share information and data
between themselves and enable citizens and businesses to access control and
correct their own data; enable users to monitor administrative processes that
involve them; engage with and open up to stakeholders (such as businesses,
researchers and non-profit organisations) in the design and delivery of
services.
·
Cross-border by default: public administrations should make relevant
digital public services available across borders and prevent further
fragmentation to arise, thereby facilitating mobility within the Single Market.
·
Interoperability by default: public services should be designed to work
seamlessly across the Single Market and across organisational silos, relying on
the free movement of data and digital services in the European Union.
·
Trustworthiness & Security: All initiatives
In
view of these policy priorities, this Action Plan sets out concrete actions to
accelerate the implementation of existing legislation and the related take up
of online public services.
(p5)
Further
efforts by all administrations are
needed to accelerate the take up of
electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the
internal market (eIDAS19 services). Further actions to accelerate
the cross-border and cross-sector use of electronic identification (eID),
including mobile ID, and trust services (in particular eSignature, website
authentication and online registered delivery service) will be pursued in
digitally enabled businesses (such as banking, finance, eCommerce and sharing
economy) and in the public sector namely on the European e-Justice Portal. The
Commission will also explore the need to facilitate the usage of remote
identification and secure authentication in the retail financial services20.
The
re-use of open services and technical building blocks (such as eID, eSignature,
eDelivery and eInvoice) by Member States is critical for interoperability.
The
Commission will also explore the need to facilitate the usage of remote
identification and secure authentication in the retail financial services20.
The
availability of these services [eID-to-eInvoice} is currently guaranteed by
funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF); it is however necessary to
ensure their availability and long-term sustainability beyond this funding
programme. Therefore, the Commission will present a way forward for their
sustainability beyond 2020.
Public
administrations need to transform their back offices, to rethink and redesign
existing procedures and services, and open their data and services to other
administrations, and, as far as possible, to businesses and civil society.
(p7)
The
EU Single Market cannot function effectively without cross-border digital
public services.
[DANGEROUS
PRECEDENT – OLD ALTERNATIVES TO DISAPPEAR?
The
Commission will assess the implication of a possible implementation of the 'no legacy principle'
[renew
IT systems and technologies after a certain amount of time, to keep in line
with the ever-changing environment and development of technology) in public
administrations.]
(p9)
In
support of the cross-border mobility of citizens,
the Commission will set up the Electronic Exchange of Social Security
Information (EESSI), allowing the interconnection between administrations in
charge of social security for electronic data exchanges across 32 countries29.
(p10)
The
Commission will support Member States in the development of eHealth services that also enable
cross-border exchange of e-prescriptions, [2019]
...
Future
initiatives proposed under this priority could aim at providing seamless
cross-border services provided to citizens for their 'life events' (such as
changing jobs, moving or getting married) and businesses, making it easier for
them to start doing business, expand and operate in other Member States.
(p11)
As
part of the European Cloud Initiative33, the Commission will create a platform
for public authorities to open their data and services, creating a "Government as a Service (GaaS)"
base for the EU.
----------------------------
http://www.ecrforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/The-eGOV-Actions-Plan-2016-2020.pdf
The
EU eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020
European
Commerce Registers' Forum
(ECRF),
20th Annual Conference, 15 June 2017, Vilnius (LT)
Andrea
SERVIDA
DG
CONNECT, European Commission
Head
of Unit "eGovernment and Trust"
The
Vision (p7)
By
2020, public administrations and public institutions in the European Union
should be open, efficient and inclusive, providing borderless, personalised,
user-friendly, end-to-end digital public services to all citizens and
businesses in the EU.
(p10)
Privacy
and security (trust) are key barriers to uptake
(p16)
Competitiveness)
Council Conclusions on DSM technologies and public services modernisation on
26/05/2016
•eGovernment
Conference 'Digital and Open Government – next step to maturity' on
02-03/06/2016 + launch of eGOV4EU platform
(p17)
Highlights
the benefits of eParticipation
(p20)
Accelerating
the take-up of eIDAS, e.g. European
Student e-Card for ERASMUS +
Revised
European Interoperability Framework to facilitate cross-border public services
(p23)
eIDAS
Observatory - How can we all benefit?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brussels,
6.5.2015
COM(2015)
192 final
A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe
{SWD(2015)
100 final}
...
(p3)
All
Member States are wrestling with similar problems but on a national basis which
is too limited to allow them to seize all the opportunities and deal with all
the challenges of this transformational change. For many issues the European
level offers the right framework. That is why the European Commission has set
the creation of a Digital Single Market as one of its key priorities.
...
(p5,
DEVIOUS)
To
deliver the right conditions to enable cross-border e-commerce to flourish, the
Commission, as announced in its Work Programme for 2015, will make an amended
legislative proposal2 to allow sellers to rely on their national
laws, further harmonising the main rights and obligations of the parties to a
sales contract. This will be done notably by providing remedies for
non-performance and the appropriate periods for the right to a legal guarantee.
The purpose is to ensure that traders in the internal market are not deterred
from cross-border trading by differences in mandatory national consumer
contract laws, or to differences arising from product specific rules such as
labelling.
(p9)
This
requires a strong, competitive and dynamic telecoms sector to carry out the
necessary investments, to exploit innovations such as Cloud computing, Big Data
tools or the Internet of Things
...
(Telecoms)
Today, the sector is undergoing structural changes and still suffers from
isolated national markets, a lack of regulatory consistency and predictability
across the EU, particularly for radio spectrum,
...
the
absence of consistent EU-wide objectives and criteria for spectrum assignment
at national level creates barriers to entry, hinders competition and reduces
predictability for investors across Europe. Therefore, the radio spectrum
should be managed by Member States under a more harmonised framework that is
consistent with the need for a Digital Single Market.
...
(p13/14)
Within
less than a decade, most economic activity will depend on digital ecosystems,
integrating digital infrastructure, hardware and software, applications and
data. Digitisation of all sectors will be needed if the EU is to maintain its
competitiveness
...
Digitisation
also offers unprecedented opportunities to other economic sectors, such as
transport (e.g. intelligent transport systems) or energy (e.g. smart grids, metering)
....
(p18)
Barriers
to global digital trade particularly affect European companies since the EU is
the world’s first exporter of digital services. To that end an ambitious
digital trade and investment policy should be further developed including by
means of the EU’s free trade agreements.21
Estonia
EU Presidency 2017
THE DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET - STATE OF
PLAY DIGITAL SUMMIT TALLINN, 290917)
(p5,
LEADS FOR 2020?)
As
of 2020, EU Member States will for the first time coordinate their use of the
high-quality band 700 MHz. This will allow people to take back control of their personal data and set clear limits on the use of their data. 68% of online digital content providers block
users in another Member State. 60% of young Europeans say cross-border portability
is important for taking up a subscription.
This
will enable 5G networks and bring new services such as connected cars, remote
health care, smart cities or video streaming on the move and across borders.
...
As
of May 2018, the EU will be equipped with its first ever common cybersecurity law to help keep network and information systems
safe in all Member States. As of early 2018, citizens will be able to enjoy
their online films, sports broadcasts, music, video games, and e-book
subscriptions when travelling in the EU. As of May 2018, a new single set of EU
rules on data protection and privacy in electronic communications.
This
will enable 5G networks and bring new services such as connected cars, remote
health care, smart cities or video streaming on the move and across borders.
The EU also supports the competitiveness of its cyber-security industry through
a public-private partnership
expected to generate €1.8 billion of investment by 2020 to help develop devices
...
Data
is at the core of the digital economy and ensuring its free flow throughout the
European Union is essential. But simply gathering data and allowing it to flow
freely is not, of itself, enough – we need to be able to capture its value, and
this will require the capacity to analyse, interpret and extract value from
data through the help of high performance computing.
....
EU
to implement electronic ID for residents
to accelerate adoption of e-government
services
UK
POLICY CONTRADICTION ON DSM?
On
digital, the UK will not be part of the EU’s Digital Single Market, which will
continue to develop after our withdrawal from the EU. This is a fast evolving,
innovative sector, in which the UK is a world leader. So it will be
particularly important to have domestic flexibility, to ensure the regulatory
environment can always respond nimbly and ambitiously to new developments
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-statement-on-october-european-council-23-october-2017
On
the digital single market, it is right to keep up the pressure on completing
its implementation by the end of 2018.
This
will bring new opportunities to British businesses and consumers, contributing
to growth and jobs.
‘Future
of Europe’ links to reports, including e-Voting
e-Participation
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/PERI/2016/580854/IPOL_BRI(2016)580854_EN.pdf
e-Voting
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556948/IPOL_STU(2016)556948_EN.pdf
e-Participation
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556949/IPOL_STU(2016)556949_EN.pdf
Key
document, timestamp: 6 June 2016
[Page numberings given are physical within
PDF; subtract 2 for actual printed page numbers]
DIRECTORATE
GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES
POLICY
DEPARTMENT C: CITIZENS' RIGHTS AND
CONSTITUTIONAL
AFFAIRS
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556957/IPOL_STU(2016)556957_EN.pdf
THE
LEGAL AND POLITICAL CONTEXT
FOR
SETTING UP A EUROPEAN IDENTITY DOCUMENT
PE
556.957
Every
person holding the nationality of a Member State is automatically an EU
citizen. This study assesses the added value of setting up a European identity
card and the extent to which it would enhance citizen participation in
decision-making processes at the EU level. It analyses the legal and political
feasibility of and challenges for setting up an operable European ID card given
the current legislative and political context. Moreover, it makes
recommendations about the legal and technical components required for the setting
up of an operable European ID card.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXTS
[from Exec Summary]
The
European Commission has highlighted that the lack of harmonisation of national identity cards (national ID
cards) creates some obstacles for the enjoyment of EU citizenship rights.
According to the 2012 European Citizenship Eurobarometer Survey, 18% of
respondents would welcome the introduction of a European identity card
(European ID card) as an addition to national ID cards.
desk
research aimed to justify the need (or the lack thereof) for the introduction
of a
European
ID card, by assessing the extent to which differences in Member States’ legal
frameworks
linked to national ID cards impede the exercise of EU political rights. It was found
that in all Member States there are rules guaranteeing that all EU citizens can
exercise their EU political rights. These rules, however, sometimes fail to
provide non-nationals (EU citizens residing in a Member State other than their
own) and nationals with an equal footing
or are overly complicated.
Most
stakeholders (27 out of 42) were rather doubtful about the EU added value of a
European ID card and called for the collection of more evidence regarding the
role such card could play in enhancing EU political rights.
the
research revealed that stricto sensu there is no legal basis in the Treaties to
legislate in connection with the European ID card with the only purpose of
enhancing the democratic participation of EU citizens. Legal basis for action
at the EU level is provided in connection with the enhancement of free movement
rights. It is noted though that free movement rights cannot be seen in
isolation from other citizenship rights, thus from EU political rights. Any
boundaries preventing citizens from moving around in Europe may impede the full
enjoyment of EU political rights, which are granted to all EU citizens regardless
of where they reside within the EU. Also any difficulties linked to the
exercise of
EU
political rights might discourage people from moving abroad and thus might have
an impact on the exercise of the right to free movement.
it
is crucial for the adoption of any initiative to be backed by sufficient
political will. Both the desk research and the stakeholder consultation
revealed aspects (such as the lack of tradition of having national ID cards)
which could influence the standpoint of Member States. The European Parliament
would need to consider these aspects while discussing the introduction of a
European ID card.
the
Study aimed to describe some practical elements to be taken into account while
deciding on the
introduction
of a European ID card:...
...Interplay
of a European identity document with national identity documents:
European
ID card could either replace national ID cards or co-exist with them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
European Commission constantly monitors the implementation and application by
Member
States of the Treaty provisions linked to EU citizenship rights, for example, through
the EU Citizenship Reports7. The latest EU Citizenship Report (2013)8,
highlighted among the obstacles to the full enjoyment of EU citizenship, the
lack of harmonisation of national identity cards (ID cards). Issues arise for
example when EU citizens exercise their right to free movement or try to access
services abroad. This obstacle could be overcome through various policy and/or
legal options, ranging from the minimum to the full harmonisation of national
ID cards.
[p14]
The
idea of creating a European ID card had already emerged during the early 2000s,
but was dropped, due to political, administrative and legal obstacles10. The
project reappeared on the political agenda a few times since, including during
the UK Presidency in 2005.
However,
it lacked political will, due mainly to different perceptions of Member States
about ID cards, their role and importance, as well as concerns over data
security. Legal obstacles, including in particular the fact that the issuance
of ID cards currently falls under national competences, also contributed to the
failure of the initiative
In
April 2015, the European Commission announced its intention to examine
different policy
options
linked to documents held by mobile EU citizens, to facilitate the exercise of
EU
citizenship
rights12. This mapping coincides with discussions over e-democracy
as a means to improve and expand citizens’ participation in decision-making at
the EU level.
Regarding
this point it is noted that EU citizens fail to make use of the full potential
of their
rights
to participate in decision-making processes at the EU level. As an example, the
May
2014
EU elections saw the lowest voter turnout on record (42.61%....)
The
enhanced use of ICT, such as those used in electronic ID cards (eID cards),
could
potentially
increase democratic participation. These technologies however, are not equally
available
to all EU citizens. As an example, in 2012, 90% of the Estonian population had
eID
cards, allowing for a wide-range of e-solutions, including e-voting.
[p18]
RATIONALE BEHIND THE INTRODUCTION OF A
EUROPEAN
IDENTITY DOCUMENT
EU
law guarantees that all EU citizens (both nationals and non-nationals) can exercise
their EU political rights;...It is therefore recommended that the European
institutions consider the extent to which a European ID card could offer viable
solutions to these issues.
3.1.1.
Existence of national ID cards
Most
Member States issue national ID cards to their nationals. Three Member States, namely
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom constitute exceptions in this regard.
[Ireland
debatable; other sources say only Denmark and UK]
In
Denmark the adoption of a national ID card lacks political and social support.
Danish
citizens
seem to feel that they already have enough cards (i.e. passport, driving
licence and health insurance card), allowing for functionalities similar to
national ID cards in other Member States. They also seem to be unwilling to
have a national ID card, given existing security concerns about the collection
and storage of all their personal data on one card25.
Whilst
some political parties, such as the Danish People’s Party, have recently
brought up
the
idea of introducing a national ID card, no legislative initiatives have emerged.
Security and data protection related concerns constitute the main reasons
behind the lack of national ID cards in Ireland26.
Moreover,
in Ireland it is unlikely that a national ID card would be justified in
cost-benefit terms, given that existing identity documents, such as passports
already provide for functionalities similar to national ID cards in other
Member States27. Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Joan Burten,
recently announced that Ireland was not
planning to introduce a national ID card28.
In
the United Kingdom, the former Labour Government introduced ID cards as part of
the Identity Cards Act 2006. The rolling out of national ID cards started in
November 2009. In June 2010 the Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition
Government decided to abolish the ID card scheme and all national ID cards were
subsequently invalidated29.
The
scheme was criticised for being too expensive with an estimated cost of GBP 5
billion (approximately EUR 6.5 billion). It was also seen as ineffective in
achieving its planned aim of reducing crime and terrorism. Moreover, it was
seen as intrusive, as it collected a large amount of
data
about individuals without the necessary safeguards for protecting security30.
The
current Government is not planning to reintroduce identity cards for British
citizens31.
[cheeky]
Based
on the above it seems that Member States where national ID cards are not issued
do not seem to be concerned about the possible impact of the lack of such
identity documents on the exercise of citizens’ rights. On the contrary, these
Member States seem to argue that other national documents proving identity
could serve the same purpose as ID cards.
It
seems to be a common argument that due to the lack of sufficient data
protection safeguards, a single national ID card allowing for all sorts of
functionalities and storing a wide-range of information would be unsafe.
Concerns over the cost implications of the introduction of a national ID card
also seem to be common and have emerged both in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
By analogy, these concerns could be considered also with respect to the setting
up of a European ID card.
[interesting]
There
is one additional Member State, namely France where the introduction of eID
cards was discussed. These discussions led to the adoption of Article 2 of Law
no. 2012-410 of 27 March 2012 on the protection of identity40 providing the
legal basis for the establishment of eID cards. However, the Constitutional
Council declared this provision unconstitutional in March 201241.
The Constitutional Council among others ruled that the law touches upon ‘the
right to privacy in a way that cannot be considered as proportional to the
meant purpose’42. Since then, no discussions on the topic have taken
place.
...
Based
on the above it seems that the introduction of eID cards has become a trend in Europe,
with an increasing number of Member States introducing or opting to introduce
eID cards. These efforts are facilitated by EU level legal and policy
developments, which aim at the enhanced use of electronic technologies in the
European Union.
General
functionalities – Proof of identity
In
all Member States, whilst national ID cards are the main means of proving
citizens’ identity, they are not the only means of doing so. Passports and/or
driving licences are typical alternative means for personal identification.
...
However,
exceptions to this seem to exist in Estonia, Finland and Sweden where nationals
of other Member States cannot use their own national ID cards to prove their
identity
...
General
functionalities – Access to private and public services
As
a general rule, access to private and public services is not tied to the
possession of a national ID...
...
Concluding
remarks [good excuses!]
In
most situations both nationals and non-nationals can use their own Member State
of origin’s national ID card while proving their identity or age and while
travelling within the Schengen Area. It seems however that in certain
situations non-nationals are subject to rules different from those applying to
nationals. Non-national EU citizens might be unable to use their own national
ID cards while accessing certain online public and/or private services in the
host Member State. This is due to the fact that in some Member States for the
time-being only national ID cards issued to nationals have electronic
identification functionalities. Non-national EU citizens are often excluded
from these services in the host Member State as they lack such documents. This
might ultimately hinder the exercise of citizenship rights and in particular
the right to free movement.
...
As
an example, the European Commission highlighted that ‘European citizens cannot
fully participate in the society without a bank account’94. Any factor
(including the requirement of using exclusively documents issued by the host
Member State) making it more burdensome for non-national EU citizens to open a
bank account or make transactions in a different Member State, may prevent
citizens from moving around in Europe
To
resolve this issue various mechanisms can be implemented, such as those
enhancing the interoperability of the national ID cards of non-national EU
citizens with the electronic identification systems of their host Member State.
Alternatively, a common European ID card or a European eID card could also be
considered, provided that it is legally and politically feasible.
[hmmm!]A
European Commission report seems to suggest the negative impact of registration
related
requirements on the participation rate of non-nationals in municipal elections.
It seems that where registration is not automatic, only 10% of non-national EU
citizens ask to be entered on the electoral rolls in their host Member State.
the
European Commission noted that in some Member States the registration
requirements were burdensome. As an example, in Malta, people needed to provide
a Maltese ID card, which was issued to Maltese nationals exclusively, while
registering on the electoral roll. As a consequence, non-national EU citizens,
who did not possess such card, were prevented from exercising their political
rights stemming from the Treaties111.
[admin
burdens of registering and exercising rights discussed]
Literature
on the topic, however, is scarce. It is a fact though that despite the
increasing number of
mobile
EU citizens (in 2010 more than 13 million), only a relatively low number of
mobile EU citizens exercise their political rights in municipal level elections126.
Statistical data from Member States where registration into electoral rolls is
not automatic show that only 10% of non-national EU citizens ask to be entered
on the electoral rolls in their host Member State127. This low
number could be indicative of the existence of some factors hindering the exercise
of political rights. The existence of some administrative burdens is also
highlighted by a recent European Commission survey, which revealed that
according to a majority of respondents, political participation could be
enhanced by abolishing registration related requirements or by making the
registration possible electronically128. While shaping the discussions
on the introduction of a European ID card, decision-makers might consider the role
that the European ID card might play in addressing the aforementioned issues
and the request of Europe’s citizens.
...
It
seems however that administrative obstacles are only one of the reasons which
keep
citizens
away from the voting polls....
[2014,
p37] registration and ‘voting card related problems’ are quoted as a reason for
not voting by
only
4% of respondents.
The
main reasons for not voting are the ‘lack of trust and dissatisfaction with
politics in general’ (23%),
‘no
interest in politics as such’ (19%) and ‘vote has no consequences or vote does
not change anything’ (14%).
[p37,
3.2. Overview of past and current initiatives at the EU level
The
aim is to contribute to the assessment of whether or not the introduction of a European
ID card is necessary.]
One
of the first initiatives within this context was the setting up of the Porvoo
Group134 a forum for discussion and exchange of good practice on eID
cards. It was initially an initiative of the e-Europe Smart Card Charter135,
a project launched in 1999 by the European Commission,
[NB
The STORK 2.0 Project 2012-15 involved UK, 4 services]
p41
In
light of the EU policies described above and the constant development of ICT, it is likely that further steps will need
to be taken to fully enhance the enjoyment of EU citizenship rights
including potentially through the setting up of a European ID card.
BUT
p42 [spin!]
Most
stakeholders were doubtful about the EU added value of a European ID card and
called for more evidence regarding the role such card could play in enhancing EU
political rights.
...
The
minority of stakeholders (15)161 referred to the introduction of a European ID
card as an important opportunity for strengthening the participation of EU
citizens in the democratic life of the EU. Recognising the risks of turning
this initiative into a symbolic step towards a ‘federal Europe’162,
these 15 stakeholders also referred to the need for this European ID card to
have multiple purposes, thus not limiting it to democratic participation.
They
noted that EU citizens would better
welcome a European ID card if it was also linked to the freedom of
movement.
Most
of the stakeholders consulted (27165) considered that the
introduction of a European ID card would not have European added value and, in
particular, would not strengthen the participation of citizens in democratic
processes.
...
All
27 stakeholders explicitly referred to the possible counter-productivity of
introducing a European ID card, which EU citizens would most probably perceive
as another overly complex and extremely costly bureaucratic set up at the EU
level. According to these stakeholders, the introduction of a European ID card
could jeopardise the objectives of the European project itself, boosting the nowadays-growing
euro-scepticism.
[PUNCHLINE?
SELLING HOOK?]
Based
on the stakeholder interviews, it seems that a majority of stakeholders are
rather doubtful about the European added value of a European ID card. It is
important to note though that at least for the time-being no policy or
legislative initiative for the adoption of a European ID card exists. Thus the
stakeholders could not reflect on something tangible and instead provided their
opinion in more general terms.
The
desk research carried out under this Study, the results of which are presented
under Section 3 (Rationale behind the introduction of a European identity document),
seems to suggest however that there is a
need for EU level action. It seems that EU citizens moving around Europe
cannot make full use of their democratic participation rights. This is to a certain
extent due to administrative obstacles.
In
the context of the enhancement of free movement rights, the European Commission
has already touched upon this possibility. On behalf of the European
Commission, Ms Vera Jourova171 noted that a study assessing
‘different policy options to facilitate EU free movement of persons’ inter alia
by reinforcing national ID cards was underway
...
Most
(27) of the stakeholders179 did not support the introduction of a
European ID card and did not attach a valuable purpose to it, besides maybe
facilitating free movement. In general they also excluded the role that a
European ID card might play in enhancing citizens’ participation in democratic
processes at the EU level.
[p47
LEGAL AND POLITICAL FEASIBILITY OF A EUROPEAN IDENTITY DOCUMENT]
[p47
KEY FINDINGS
conferral,
proportionality, data protection discussed]
Considering
the variety of actors involved in decision-making processes at the EU level and
thus the plethora of interests, it is crucial for the introduction of a European
ID card to be backed by a sufficient level of political will.
[pretexts
e.g. area of freedom, security and justice
discussed ]
[PUNCHLINE]
The
power to legislate in connection with ID cards is set out in Article 77(3) of
the TFEU184.
This
provision provides that within a special legislative procedure185 the Council
may adopt provisions concerning ID cards, in cases where EU level action would
become necessary to facilitate the exercise of the rights under Article
20(2)(a) of the TFEU (the rights to move and reside freely within the territory
of the Member States).
Therefore,
EU action on ID cards can only occur within the legal parameters set out in Articles
77 and 20(2)(a) of the TFEU.
Any boundaries preventing
citizens from moving around in Europe impede
the full enjoyment of EU political rights, which are granted to all EU
citizens regardless of where they reside within the EU.
Also
any difficulties linked to the exercise of EU political rights might discourage
people from moving abroad and thus might have an impact on the exercise of the
right to free movement.
[the
EU has shown interest in legislating in connection with national ID cards]
...While
adopting Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 the EU relied on Article 114 of the TFEU186,
which
provides for the approximation of laws provided that is necessary for
establishing or ensuring the functioning of the internal market.
[Article
77, point 3 of the TFEU, unanimous provisions concerning passports, identity
cards]
...
In
line with the principle of subsidiarity, the
EU may act in areas falling under shared competence, provided that the
problem is not sufficiently solved by the Member States (necessity test) and
the objectives can be better achieved by the EU than by its Member States
acting alone (test of EU added value)
national
ID cards differ to some extent in terms of basic features and functionalities. This may be considered to create some
inequalities, especially for EU citizens residing in a Member State other than
their own. ...create inequalities between nationals and non-nationals.
Also,
non-national EU citizens depending on their host Member State might or might
not sign an ECI [European Citizens’ Initiative] as supporters of the Member
State where they reside. These issues which vary from Member State to Member
State, cannot be overcome by the Member States alone and therefore action at the EU level might be necessary
In
accordance with the principle of proportionality it is recommended that EU
institutions while shaping the European
ID card assess whether or not it is the most appropriate and least onerous
tool to resolve the issues identified.
In
this context and given the lack of rules at the EU level, the EU fails to
provide equal footing to all its
citizens.
...
For
example biometric data (which is classed as sensitive personal data in the
General Data Protection Regulation), will most likely be included in a European
ID Card. The use of biometric data
will
therefore require explicit and informed consent from the data subject and
precise rules on who can access them. In fact, sensitive personal information
when linked together could allow for the creation of personal profiles and this
might increase the risk of violating privacy rights. The right to privacy could
also be endangered by the fact that biometric data could be used for secondary
purposes not necessarily compatible with the purposes for which the data were
initially collected. This may, for example, happen when third parties gain
access to biometric data and bring them together with other information,
without the consent of the data subject203.
In
this regard it would be advisable
that Member States adopt additional
legislation that will address relevant data processing concerns (e.g. data
sharing, data use) and security measures within the context of the implementation of a European ID card
...
[technical
interoperability discussed]
The
European eID card, if introduced as an addition to national ID cards would need
to be interoperable with those electronic identification schemes of Member
States that are affected by the use thereof. Should a European eID card follow
the pattern of the European passports, thus allow for the harmonisation of
certain features of national eID cards, interoperability of national eID schemes
will need to be enhanced.
...
[p54,
RELEVANT TO SINGLE DIGITAL MARKET, EVEN SM?]
In
this context, the EU has recently adopted Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014
providing the legal grounds for the mutual recognition of electronic
identification schemes and thereby enabling EU citizens to carry out
cross-border interactions using electronic identification technologies. The
Regulation enhances trust in electronic transactions in Member States, by ‘providing
a common foundation for secure interaction between citizens, business and public
authorities’ (Recital 2).The Regulation ultimately aims to ensure that EU
citizens and businesses can use their own national electronic identification
schemes to access public services in other EU Member States where electronic
identification schemes are available. It also aims to ensure that eTS [trust
services], such as electronic signatures, electronic seals, time stamp, electronic
delivery service and website authentication will work across borders and have
the same legal status as traditional paper based documents210
Ultimately,
Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 could provide a
good starting point for a European eID card by creating a more
interoperable framework (both legally and from a technical point of view)
...
While
the effects of the Regulation in some ways deflate the argument for a common
European eID card, there are several ways in which this Regulation would
support the eventual setting up of a European
eID
...[these
include, p56...]
Establishment
of the legal validity of trust services for cross-border use. The Regulation
has paved the way for cross-border use and provision of various trust services.
These trust services will play an important role in the development of a digital
single market, that can foster greater
European unity/identity and the fervour for and acceptance of a common European
eID.
[other
measures...
...
paving the way for a smooth transition to the implementation of a European eID
card
...This
can provide an ideal infrastructure suited for a transition to a European eID
scheme]
[p56 Political feasibility section]
[p57]
The
idea of creating a European ID card had already emerged during the early 2000s,
but was dropped due to inter alia political obstacles226. A similar
issue could be observed in 2005227 following the adoption of the Hague programme, in which the
European Council invited the Council of the European Union, the European
Commission and the Member States to prepare minimum standards for national ID cards. While discussions were
ongoing within the Council of the European Union, important stakeholders
expressed concerns regarding the lack of legislative power of the EU to
introduce minimum standards for national ID cards. The 2005 initiative was
never translated into a legally binding measure.
...
...there
are three Member States in the EU – Denmark, Ireland [debatable!] and the
United Kingdom - where no national ID cards exist. In these Member States there
is no political will to adopt national ID cards, thus it is likely that these
Member States will show some reluctance with respect to the adoption of a
European ID card as well
Concerns
over the cost implications of the introduction of a national ID card also seem
to be common
and
have emerged both in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Opinions
might also clash between Member States where national ID cards rely on or are connected
to centralised databases and Member States where these links are intentionally weaker.
In Germany, for example the
centralisation of registers, including population
registers that usually provide the personal information described in the ID
cards, is forbidden for historical reasons and it is prohibited to link
information stored in different databases228. The German Federal
Constitutional Court declared that the systematic creation by the State of a
personal profile or a catalogue containing extensive information on certain
citizens or on the whole population is not compatible with human dignity229.
[In
light of the above, it is recommendable that these aspects are carefully
considered by the EU before starting any political discussions on the
introduction of a European ID card.]
[p59
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Key findings
include:]
The
amount and type of data stored on the European ID card should enhance the
democratic participation of EU citizens at the EU level
Interplay
of a European identity document with national identity documents:
European
ID card could either replace national ID cards or co-exist with them.
Potentially,
mobile EU citizens would need to mandatorily obtain a European ID card.
...
This
Section maps possible requirements for the setting up of a European ID card,
taking into account that the European ID card is perceived to be a tool for
facilitating citizens’ participation in democratic processes at the EU level.
[p65
management issues
Four
of them288 stated that should a European ID card be introduced,
there would be a need for stronger cooperation across Europe, which could be
made possible through harmonisation of issuance and management procedures. Only five stakeholders289
considered the possibility of issuing the European ID card at the EU level,
through an ad hoc EU central authority,
or European Police Office.
[p69
RECOMMENDATIONS, essentially summary recap]
exercise
political rights...unequal footing... admin difficulties
Past
and current EU level initiatives linked to national ID cards have not aimed to
enhance citizens’ participation in democratic processes at the EU level.
This
could suggest a need for EU action
Legal
feasibility: ...Such legal basis is provided in connection with the enhancement
of free movement rights.
...
The
introduction of a European ID card could be seen as one of the options for the
EU to consider alongside alternative measures such as the potential
harmonisation of national ID cards.
Article:
UK national ID: Britons, no need to worry
https://blog.gemalto.com/government/2017/01/13/uk-national-id-britons-no-need-to-worry/
https://www.gemalto.com/govt/documents/national-identity-schemes
https://www.gemalto.com/govt/identity/2016-national-id-card-trends
'Sustainable
Society' White Paper claiming 'world
leader in digital security'
https://www.gemalto.com/govt/inspired/more-sustainable-society
ID
card crisis cost Information System Authority €1 million
https://news.err.ee/688602/id-card-crisis-cost-information-system-authority-1-million
Estonia's
Information System Authority (RIA) is to submit a request to the government via
the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to cover the costs incurred
in resolving the security risk affecting Estonia's national ID cards in the
total amount of €1,115,616, daily Postimees writes.
The
final sum includes costs related to development work done by companies, the
public information campaign notifying Estonian residents, increasing the
capacity of the information line as well as additional personnel costs incurred
during the issue's resolution period.
The
Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) is furthermore demanding ID card
manufacturer Gemalto to pay €20 million in connection with the security risk.
The PPA is the authority which orders the manufacturing of Estonia's ID cards
and in whose offices people updated their faulty ID cards, including outside of
regular hours of operation.
ZDNET.COM
Article on
Estonias-id-card-scrisis-how-e-states-poster-child-got-into-and-out...
13
Nov 2017 - Estonia is built on secure state e-systems, so the world was
watching when it hit a huge ID-card problem. ... The same chip is used in the
identity card of several other countries, as well as bankcards and access
documents," explained the ISA. In August this year a group of Czech
researchers informed ISA of a security risk ...
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-11-21/e-government-sounds-great-until-the-first-hack
For
tiny Estonia, which has made advanced technology its global differentiation
point, a single case of identity theft could be a reputational disaster, so the
nation's government decided to be transparent about the update. Predictably,
though, when tens of thousands of people attempted to install the update,
waiting times and failures mounted. After spending hours trying to update her
ID card, Theresa Bubbear, the U.K. ambassador to Estonia, wondered in a tweet
on Nov. 2 whether "eEstonia" might be "losing its shine."
Only on Nov. 16, she finally tweeted "Hallelujah!" as the update came
through.
...
Spain,
though, is a much bigger country with some 60 million electronic identity cards
in circulation. Spaniards cannot use them to vote or conduct financial
transactions as Estonians do, but now that the government has deactivated the digital certificates on
the cards, they can't use functionality such as signing documents at machines
installed at police stations. The Spanish authorities haven't been as
forthcoming about explaining the problem as the Estonian ones have been, thus
creating confusion.
The
Estonian model: A digital revolution within the European Union
28
November 2017
https://www.thenewfederalist.eu/the-estonian-model-a-digital-revolution-within-the-european-union
On
4th July the Prime Minister announced in his keynote address that France’s
digital transition would be quick for the French administration - the project
being for almost all public services to be carried out online by 2022 – taking
the Estonian model by way of example
...
On
15th July Estonia decided to relocate its protected servers to the first
‘e-embassy’ in Luxembourg, and it’s there that we can find the answer to our
worries. Luxembourg offers a ’Tier 4’ level of security, which is by far the
highest server security level possible. And this system is designed to
withstand external attacks AS WELL as crashes and other eventualities.
...
E-Police: The police benefit from specific tools that
facilitate their interventions and improve the safety of Estonians, especially on
the road. A special database for driving licenses allows them to check their
validity, previous offenses, and the number plate, and law enforcement agencies
can access it from their vehicles in order to streamline arrests and
inspections.
...
EU
for example, as a social security card, and a prepaid travel card. To cap it
all, Estonian citizens don’t even need their card to access all its features,
as everything is accessible via their mobile phone. In short, even their
digital technology has been digitalized.
City
AM on possibly delayed Brexit?
http://www.cityam.com/284658/david-davis-admits-article-50-could-extended-but-says
Global
Counsel
EU institutions united on ‘Norway deal’
Lord
Prior
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4055637/brexit-soft-conservative-hard-eu/
CIB
on not leaving the EEA/Single Market in March 2019
EU
Referendum blog explaining ‘Customs Union’; commentaries
http://www.eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=86847
http://www.eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=86842
http://www.eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=86841
Monographs
(#16 focuses on Leaving the Customs Union)
http://www.eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=80999
DUP
dissatisfaction and red lines
Interview
with Nigel Dodds MP
Parliament
Act 1949
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/12-13-14/103/section/1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Acts_1911_and_1949
“…
the Parliament Act 1949 (12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. 103), which further limited
the power of the Lords by reducing the time that they could delay bills, from
two years to one.[4]
Provided
that this provision shall not take effect unless [one year has elapsed] between
the date of the second reading in the first of those sessions of the Bill in
the House of Commons and the date on which it passes the House of Commons [in
the second of these sessions.]”
GDPR
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/
Verify
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introducing-govuk-verify/introducing-govuk-verify
COULD
‘DIGITAL’ LOCAL AUTHORITY CARDS BE PART OF THE EU VISION? OR A IS REVIVED
CHILDREN’S DATABASE BUBBLING UNDER?
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2018/03/newborns-be-given-their-first-library-cards
Hammersmith
& Fulham Council is giving all newborns their very own library card to help
inspire the love of reading.
NB
Hammersmith & Fulham Council counts itself as the most pro-EU council;
http://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/hammersmith-fulham-council-eu-1-5370167
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/community/hf-heart-europe
Other
smart cards in use (e.g. for use with parking meters, libraries…)
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/hillingdonfirst
http://www.richmond.gov.uk/richmondcard
This
page updated: 2 May 2018