The new digital EU identity and eIDAS 2.0 - what citizens should know now

Brussels is planning big things: the European Union wants to introduce a single digital identity - the EU ID - from 2026. This is to be accessible to all citizens and take on a variety of functions: from digital ID cards at public authorities to logging in to online services. What sounds like efficiency and progress, however, raises many questions. A new, extensively researched article now explains clearly what the digital ID actually is, how it works - and why the topic deserves more attention.

Author and publisher Markus Schall has written a detailed and easy-to-understand article on the planned EU digital identity. In it, he sheds light not only on the technical foundations and legal framework, but also on the social, political and data protection implications of this far-reaching innovation. As someone who has been dealing with digitalization, information sovereignty and critical media monitoring for years, Markus Schall would like to contribute to factual clarification with this article - beyond scaremongering or PR platitudes.

What exactly is the digital EU ID and eIDAS 2.0?

The digital EU ID is a central digital wallet - also known as the "European Digital Identity Wallet" - in which personal data such as name, date of birth, tax ID, driving license, certificates or bank details can be stored. The idea: instead of having to identify yourself with passwords or copies of ID cards on various platforms, in future all you will need to do is swipe your finger or scan your face with the official EU-ID app.

The digital EU ID was originally based on the so-called eIDAS 2.0 Regulation (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services), a far-reaching revision of the original eIDAS Regulation from 2014. The aim of this new version is to create a uniform legal framework for digital identity in all EU member states. This should not only facilitate the cross-border recognition of digital proofs of identity, but also create a European alternative to large US platforms such as Google or Apple in the area of identity services.

At the heart of eIDAS 2.0 is the introduction of so-called EU Digital Identity Wallets - official, state-certified apps on smartphones that citizens can use to identify themselves online and offline in future. These wallets are to contain a wide range of documents and proofs: from driving licenses and certificates to health insurance. The EU Commission promises a high level of security and data protection. Critics, however, warn of centralized data storage, technical misuse and a possible loss of control by citizens over their sensitive information.

The EU is planning to make this new standard mandatory - including for large platforms such as Amazon and Google. The digital ID will not only apply to citizens, but also to companies, organizations and authorities.

Voluntary or creeping obligation?

Officially, the introduction is described as "voluntary". But the new article shows: The devil is in the detail.

Because the planned connection to a large number of applications - from check-in at the airport to registering with a new doctor - means that people are effectively forced to use the digital ID if they don't want to be excluded from everyday life.

Critics therefore speak of "creeping compulsory use" - a key point that many citizens have not yet taken on board.

Data protection: a key risk

Data protection is a particularly explosive issue. The EU Commission and national governments emphasize that the digital ID is subject to the highest security standards. But how exactly the data is stored, processed and controlled remains unclear in many respects.

This article sheds light on which authorities will be able to access which data in the future, how interfaces to companies are planned - and which control mechanisms do not (yet) exist.

Central question: Who protects citizens from misuse?

In addition to state surveillance, criminal misuse is also a possibility. A centralized digital identity that allows access to bank accounts, contracts and health data is an extremely attractive target for hackers.

The article points out previous security gaps in digital state systems and urges caution: what is convenient can also be dangerous - especially if technology is over-regulated but under-tested.

A necessary discourse in understandable language

The detailed article on which this press release is based is not intended to spread panic - but to educate. The aim is to help shape the public discourse on a far-reaching EU project before facts are created that cannot be reversed later. The article explains all aspects in a compact but profound way:

* What is planned?
* What is the current legal status?
* Who may access the data later?
* What alternatives and protective measures are there?

The article also contains an in-depth podcast on the digital EU ID with three eGovernment experts.

Invitation to reflect - and to make an informed decision

The digital EU ID is coming - the only question is: how, when and under what conditions? The article that has now been published provides a comprehensive overview that does not prescribe a political direction, but shows how big an impact it could have on our daily lives.

The full article can be read on the web site of Markus Schall.

Especially in times of growing digital dependency and decreasing transparency of government projects, it is more important than ever that citizens understand what is at stake - before it is too late.

Frequently asked questions about the EU digital identity

* What is the EU Digital ID and what role will it play in citizens' everyday lives in the future?
The digital EU ID is a state-recognized electronic identity that EU citizens will be required to carry on their smartphone in future - usually in the form of an app, a so-called "digital identity wallet". It should make it possible to identify oneself clearly and legally both online and offline - for example when dealing with authorities, concluding contracts or accessing personal data such as certificates, driving licenses or health insurance certificates. The idea behind this is to simplify administrative processes and standardize them across Europe. However, critics warn of centralized data structures and a creeping loss of control.

* What is EIDAS 2.0 all about and why is it so important?
EIDAS 2.0 is the legal basis for the introduction of digital identity in the EU. It is a new version of the existing EIDAS Regulation, which has governed digital proof of identity and trusted services since 2014. The new version aims to introduce a mandatory EU-wide digital identity for the first time - with extensive powers for national authorities and technical interfaces that intervene deeply in many areas of life. This will create a uniform system across Europe, which will bring both new opportunities and new risks.

* What risks do data protection experts see in the planned implementation?
The biggest concerns relate to the central bundling of sensitive data in a single app. If proof of identity, health data, educational qualifications and financial information are all stored in one place and managed via a central architecture, this potentially increases the risk of misuse. Both state interference and criminal access cannot be ruled out - especially if citizens do not retain full control over the use of their data. The opt-out procedure, which requires citizens to actively object instead of actively consenting, is also viewed critically.

* What protective measures are recommended for citizens to retain control over their own identity?
The article addresses some practical protection mechanisms: For example, providing information about rights and obligations at an early stage, the targeted use of alternative verification methods where possible, or demanding technical transparency from digital wallet providers. It is important to know exactly what data is loaded into the app, who has access to it and whether this access is logged. In this context, education and critical questioning are central pillars of individual data sovereignty.

* What else does the article tell readers that goes beyond the digital ID?
The article does not stop at simply describing the concept, but places the digital EU ID in a wider political and social context. This includes, for example, the role of the European Union in digital centralization, the technological background and possible consequences for democratic co-determination.

* Are there references to other digital developments in the EU, such as the digital euro or the electronic patient file?
Yes, the article draws a connection between various current EU digitalization projects. In addition to the digital ID, the digital euro and the electronic patient file (ePA) are also discussed - in each case with a focus on central controllability, risks of misuse and social impact. The combination of these developments makes it clear that these are not isolated individual topics, but rather a far-reaching structural change in the relationship between citizens and the state.

* How is the content of the article structured and for whom is it suitable?
The article is aimed at both politically interested readers and people who have had little contact with digital identity issues to date. It begins with a comprehensible introduction, then presents the concept in detail and goes on to address the points of criticism. Historical references, social dynamics and personal assessments are also included - without coming across as preachy. The text is suitable for anyone who wants to understand what is currently happening in Europe beyond the mere headline level.

* What is special about the author's approach compared to other sources?
While many articles on the subject are either technocratic and overblown or lurid and alarmist, this article adopts a calm, understandable and critical tone. The intention is not to impose a particular opinion, but to encourage people to think for themselves. There is a deliberate avoidance of excessive rhetoric - instead, the focus is on clear language, historical analogies and comprehensible chains of argument. This makes the article a valuable basis for anyone who wants to form their own opinion.

M. Schall Verlag
Hackenweg 97
26127 Oldenburg
Germany

https://markus-schall.com
Mr. Markus Schall
info@schall-verlag.de

Schall-Verlag was founded in 2025 by Markus Schall - out of a desire to publish books that create clarity, inspire reflection and consciously avoid the hectic flow of the zeitgeist. The publishing house does not see itself as a mass marketplace, but as a curated platform for content with attitude, depth and substance.

The focus is on topics such as personal development, crisis management, social dynamics, technological transformation and critical thinking. All books are created out of genuine conviction, not market analysis - and are aimed at readers who are looking for guidance, insight and new perspectives.

The publishing house is deliberately designed to be compact, independent and with high standards in terms of language, content and design. Schall-Verlag is based in Oldenburg (Lower Saxony) and plans multilingual publications in German and English.

This release was published on openPR.