According to the agreed text, this new Digital Identity Wallet will allow citizens to identify and authenticate themselves online without having to resort to commercial providers – a practice that raises trust, security and privacy concerns.

The EU wallet will be used on a voluntary basis. During negotiations, MEPs secured provisions to safeguard citizens’ rights and foster an inclusive digital system by avoiding discrimination against those opting not to use the digital wallet.

The agreement provides for free “qualified electronic signatures” for EU wallet users, which are the most trusted, and have the same legal standing as a handwritten signature, as well as wallet-to-wallet interactions, to improve the fluidity of digital exchanges. MEPs have also mandated the wallet’s open-source nature to encourage transparency, innovation and to enhance security. Moreover, they set stringent rules for the registration and oversight of companies involved to ensure accountability and…