Digital Future Dialog emphasizes the need for consumer empowerment & European digital Sovereignty
On the evening of 31st of January, important decision-makers from the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission met to discuss the eIDAS regulation with the European Signature Dialog and invited guests from Industry. eIDAS, that sets out rules for electronic identification and trust services, is about to be adopted in the leading Industry Committee in Parliament early February and will subsequently be voted in Plenary in March. The discussion focused on the digital empowerment of the consumer and the demand to preserve the EU’s digital sovereignty and not leave it to private big tech companies.
Brussels, 31 January 2023 – The ITRE Committee of the European Parliament (Committee on Industry, Research and Energy) will vote on the eIDAS legislation on February 9, 2023. This is why the European Signature Dialog (ESD), representing the leading European Trust Service Providers, hosted a prestigious evening discussion dinner in order to sound out where a compromise on eIDAS can lie, both in Parliament and in the subsequent dialogue with Parliament, Council and the Commission.
The theme of the discussion, in which the well-being of the consumer was central and repeatedly emphasised by all participants as the top priority, was consequently ‘eIDAS – The road to digital consumer empowerment & European digital Sovereignty – The emerging compromise.
The empowered consumer had been given his own symbolic place at the table of the 25 decision- makers who were having a lively exchange after introductory statements from MEP Alin Mituta, who is a shadow rapporteur in the leading ITRE committee for Renew Europe and Norbert Sagstetter, heading the responsible unit eGovernment and Trust in the European Commission.
The discussion revolved around the much-debated Article 45 with its two elements of a user- friendly UI so users can determine the identity of the website owner, and recognition of Qualified Trust Service Providers and Qualified Website Authentication Certificates (QWACs). It also included other articles that will be of significance for a broad acceptance of the wallet like Article 24 and the verification level of the identity.
The Council has already in December 2022 agreed on a General Approach on eIDAS which allowed for an enriching discussion with the Council representative present, also in view of the trialogue that will start following the vote in Parliament.
This first Digital Future Dialog was of particular significance as it allowed ESD before the finalization of eIDAS to once again emphasize the importance of a user-friendly UI display and the user’s right to know with who they are dealing with. This right to know empowers consumers as it enables them to take (legal) recourse by giving them the verified entity behind the website. This decision cannot be left to browsers.
It also allowed ESD to insist on the necessity that browsers accept Qualified Trust Service Providers who have completed all member state audits and approvals and are listed on the EU Trust List. ESD has repeatedly made proposals for an honest compromise and reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue with browsers.
In closing ESD chairman Michael Butz thanked all those present and encouraged all participants to create a strong set of rules that takes Europe ́s digital sovereignty into European hands and to guarantee data protection rights to Europe ́s citizens to preserve control of EU Trust Space.
The first reactions of many participants already showed that this format of positive exchange and constructive discussion in a small circle of decision-makers should be continued. Without exception there was outstanding positive feedback that not only allowed ESD and its members to positively contribute its expertise and hands-on experience in Europe but was experienced as an enriching exchange to all present.
About ESD:
The European Signature Dialog (ESD) represents the leading European trust service providers (TSPs). TSPs enable secure digital interactions across Europe – between public entities, businesses, and individuals. All ESD members are working ceaselessly to enable trust, transparency, security, and protection of consumers on the internet every day according to top EU standards.
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Brussels, 31 January 2023
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