Now that mobile payments have become widely established, digital identification is set to follow. Vodafone is leading the way.
The mobile operator Vodafone has announced the launch of the eID service in a new blog post. In short: iPhone users will be able to identify themselves on the move in the future. All that is required is an iPhone with NFC, the new ID card with an activated chip and the AUTHADA Ident app. In the Contribution is it [called:
The digital age is increasingly finding its way into our everyday working and family life and is offering companies new opportunities to network and simplify work processes while simultaneously building digital proximity to customers. […] Vodafone is therefore expanding its identification offering to include the eID service, which allows users to digitally identify themselves within seconds. Customers can now use this to activate free prepaid cards. Other possible applications will follow shortly.
Certification was carried out by BSI
While prepaid free cards can now be activated digitally, further functions will follow at a later date. So far, Vodafone is the only one of the three mobile phone operators in Germany to offer this service. However, it can be assumed that Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica will follow suit at some point. As part of the announcement, Vodafone has included step-by-step instructions. These look like this:
- Select identification type "eID"
- Start identification with the new identity card with activated chip
- Have your PIN ready, hold your smartphone to your ID card
- Ident-App: Reading the identification data through the app
- Confirmation by PIN entry
- Result in real time: immediate activation of the prepaid free card.
Finally, Vodafone explains that the eID service is based on German and EU legislation. The application was certified by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). (Image: Vodafone / AUTHADA)