Apps Necessary to Create Electronic Identity Downloaded by almost 400,000 People

Bratislava, 25 December (TASR) - The eDoklady (eDocuments) and eIdentita (eIdentity) mobile applications, necessary for creating an electronic identity and using documents on a mobile phone, have already been downloaded by almost 400,000 people, with the Interior Ministry registering almost 1.2 million authentications, Interior Ministry's spokesman Matej Neumann has told TASR. "At the moment people can prove their identity by IDs or driver's licenses on their mobile phone during police checks, at Slovak Post Office branches, as well as in many accommodation facilities," said Neumann. He added that the programme is still at its testing stage and third parties have an integration package available allowing check of electronic documents to be incorporated into their IT systems. According to Neumann, identity verification is currently only one of many functionalities. "Electronic identity allows users to log into eGovernment services using a QR code and to sign documents with a qualified e-signature with a timestamp, which has the same legal effect as a notarised signature. It also enables identity verification between two individuals, as well as age verification without revealing personal data," he explained. In addition, the eDocuments app allows users to book appointments at client centres or foreign police departments. The Interior Ministry has promised to make additional system updates available next year. ko