This is how you use the online ID card in everyday life

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Online ID‍ card:⁣ What⁤ users should know

Updated 11/20/2024 – 10:29​ amReading time: 4 min.

Online ⁢ID‍ card: ​The online function ⁢is automatically ‌activated for ID cards issued after ‍2017. (Source: Zacharie⁣ Scheurer/dpa-tmn/dpa-bilder)

The electronic ID ⁢card function is becoming increasingly popular. But how does activation work? And‍ what can the E-ID⁣ be used for?

Open a bank account, activate the new SIM card for your cell phone or apply for a certificate‍ of ⁤good‍ conduct. In‌ everyday life there are many things for which you have to​ authenticate yourself⁤ with your ID‌ card.

More and more ​companies and⁣ authorities⁤ are⁣ also accepting the identification function of⁢ the electronic ID card. But how exactly it can ⁤be used, what tools are necessary and where it works are unclear to many ​people.

The online ID function extends the classic identity into the digital world and makes it possible ‍to identify oneself online without any doubt. The⁣ function is also called E-ID and can⁢ be used with⁢ all newer ‍ID cards. “For⁣ citizens who received their ID card ⁣in 2017‍ or later, the online ID ⁢card is automatically ​activated,” explains a spokesman for ⁢the Federal⁣ Ministry ⁣of ‌the Interior.

If you ⁢have a person with an activated electronic ID function,​ you first have to ⁣activate ⁤the function – either directly when you pick it up at the Citizens’⁣ Registration Office or later at home. You ⁤also‍ received a five-digit, so-called transport PIN.‌ Once this has been entered, you still have to set something up in order to be able to use the function.

“This ‌requires a six-digit PIN code that can be used for all ‍authentication processes,” ⁢explains‍ Agnes Bührmann​ from⁢ the⁣ management consultancy Publicis Sapient. NFC-enabled smartphones or external card readers are suitable for reading⁤ the e-mail. ​So-called smart card readers are​ available from around 15 euros.

In addition to the transport PIN, you also received another code: the⁣ so-called PUK. As with the SIM ⁢card for the smartphone, the PUK is required if the PIN has​ been entered incorrectly three times. And there is‌ also a blocking password that​ must be mentioned if you want to have the E-Perso blocked by⁤ telephone after it has been stolen or lost.​ Therefore,‍ the letter containing all this information should be kept safe.

The online ID can be used for official transactions‍ online, ⁢but also ‌for ⁤all kinds of services‍ from finance to telecommunications to health. “If you want⁤ to open a bank account, you⁣ can do so using your online​ ID card, for example ‍at ING or at‍ a savings bank,” a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior gives examples. “The activation of a SIM card is possible with ‍the online ID card from Vodafone and Congstar, among others.”

The ⁤tax return can ​also be​ sent using E-Persos. Other⁢ possible uses include identification for the electronic patient file at various health insurance companies as well as for numerous ⁣public services: pension insurance information, certificates of‌ good conduct or the BAFÖG portal. In addition, the online ID can of course also be ‌

Banks,‍ insurance companies, telecommunications providers or other companies that accept online ID either mark this‌ with the green-blue E-ID logo or refer to ​the online‍ ID function in writing. According to the Federal Ministry⁤ of the ​Interior, there are currently around 255 applications from administration and business that are ‍listed on the ID card portal.

At home,‌ in⁢ addition to a‌ smartphone‍ with an activated NFC function or a card reader ​to read your e-mail, you also need some software: the federal ID app must be installed on your smartphone and ‌computer. ⁣There is no need to worry about the security⁢ of ​sensitive data: “The data is‌ always encrypted and is only transmitted if the six-digit​ PIN has ​been entered beforehand,” says the spokesman for ‌the Federal Ministry of‍ the Interior.

Everything is secure and encrypted:⁣ The data stored on the E-Perso is only transferred if you release ​it using⁣ a PIN. (Source: Zacharie Scheurer/dpa)

How ​does the security of an ⁤E-ID compare to traditional‌ forms of identification?

Interviewer: ​Welcome to Time.news. Today, ‌we’re diving into‌ an exciting topic that’s ⁤relevant⁤ to ⁣many of us in‌ this digital age: the online⁤ ID card, also known as the E-ID. Joining me⁢ is Agnes Bührmann from ⁢the management consultancy Publicis Sapient, who is here to shed light on this new electronic⁢ identity revolution. Agnes, ‍thank you ⁣for⁣ being with us!

Agnes: Thank you for having me! ⁣I’m ‍excited to‍ discuss the potential of E-IDs and how they​ can benefit everyday users.

Interviewer: Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is the E-ID, and how⁢ has it evolved since its introduction?

Agnes: The E-ID is an electronic identity card⁣ that allows individuals to authenticate ‍themselves online seamlessly. It’s ⁣essentially‍ a digital extension of the ‌traditional ID card.‍ Since 2017, ‍it’s been automatically activated for​ all ‍newly issued ID cards, which means an increasing number of⁣ citizens have access to⁣ this feature⁤ without even having⁣ to think​ about it.

Interviewer: ⁣That sounds incredibly convenient! But for​ those who may not be familiar, could you explain how ⁤someone can activate their online ⁣ID ‍function?

Agnes: Absolutely! If you have ‌an ID ⁣card issued after 2017, the ​E-ID⁣ feature is already enabled. However, for those not using ‍it yet, you can activate it ⁤either when you first ⁢pick ‍up your ID at the Citizens’ Registration Office or later ‍from home. You’ll receive a transport ⁢PIN that⁣ you need to input, and ⁤then ⁣you’ll set up⁤ a six-digit PIN for‌ all authentication processes.‌ This allows you to access various online services securely.

Interviewer: What ​kind of services‌ can the E-ID be used‌ for? Are ⁢there any ‌specific examples⁢ that illustrate its usefulness?

Agnes: The ‍E-ID opens doors to numerous services. For instance, if you ⁤want to open a ‍bank account,​ you can do so using your online ID with banks⁣ like ING or at savings banks. You can ⁢also activate a SIM card with providers like Vodafone and Congstar. Furthermore, it can be​ employed for submitting your tax return, accessing electronic patient files, and even for various public services such as applying for a certificate of‍ good conduct or⁢ pension information. The possibilities are quite expansive!

Interviewer: It sounds ⁣like a game-changer for ⁣streamlining everyday tasks! But what about security? How⁢ do users⁤ ensure their online identities remain safe?

Agnes: Security is indeed a ​top priority. When you activate your E-ID, besides the‌ transport ‌PIN, you receive⁢ a PUK, much ⁢like what you ‍get with smartphone SIM cards. If someone were to incorrectly‌ enter their PIN three times,‌ they would need the PUK to reactivate it. Additionally, there’s a blocking password needed to disable the⁤ E-ID if it’s lost or‍ stolen. This level of ​security ‍is designed to protect users while allowing them to leverage the convenience of digital identity.

Interviewer: Interesting! Some people may still have questions about usability. Are there any specific devices or tools required to utilize the E-ID’s features?

Agnes: Yes! To use your E-ID online, you’ll‍ need either‌ an NFC-enabled smartphone or a card reader. ‍Smart card‍ readers are ⁣quite affordable, starting from around ​15 euros, and allow you to read your⁤ ID simply and safely. A smartphone can provide a more convenient ⁣option ⁤for many users, blending technology we already ⁢use with this innovative feature.

Interviewer: Great insight, Agnes! As ⁣we wrap up, what would you like our readers to‍ take away regarding the ⁣E-ID and its role in⁣ our increasingly digital world?

Agnes: I⁢ would encourage everyone to explore the potential of their‌ E-ID! It’s designed to simplify‍ many​ everyday processes ​while⁣ ensuring security. As‍ digital transformation continues ⁣to unfold, being able to authenticate online with confidence is going‌ to ⁤become even more essential. The ​E-ID ‌not⁢ only⁤ enhances⁣ convenience but also represents ⁢a significant step towards a fully integrated⁢ digital identity.

Interviewer: Thank you, Agnes,‍ for‍ providing us with ⁢such ⁣valuable information⁣ on the ⁢E-ID. It certainly seems to be an essential tool for anyone navigating​ the digital landscape today!

Agnes: Thank​ you ⁢for having me! I look forward to seeing⁢ how E-IDs evolve and continue to make our lives​ easier.

Interviewer: And thank ⁤you to our readers for joining us today! Stay tuned for more insightful discussions right here on Time.news.

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