Smooth electronic identification via networks of trust

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 27.11.2014 13.26
Press release

The Government wishes to create a national electronic identification solution under whose umbrella the functioning ID services offered would be up-to-date, adequately secure and easy for citizens to use.

A network of trust based on identification services is created in the Government proposal. This would function in the background of such services provided for citizens.

In practice, the network of trust operates so that the electronic service provider makes an agreement with one of the electronic service providers that belongs to the network, thereby obtaining all the customers of the identification service providers comprised within the network.

The amendment to the law does not immediately have any impact on the use of citizens' electronic identification services. The current identification tools shall also function in the future.

The main objective of the amendment is to create the prerequisites for the development of electronic identification services and technologies in addition to the development of the market.

The Government proposed an amendment to the law concerning electronic identification and electronic signatures on 27 November 2014. The intention is that the law shall come into effect on 1 May 2015.

The bill is based on the government programme entry by which a national electronic identification solution shall be implemented during this government term. The purpose is to also harmonize Finnish regulation with the requirements of the EU.

The national electronic identification solution has been prepared in close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. The preparation work has also been open to interest groups in the field.

For further information, please contact:

Tomi Lindholm, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel. 0295 34 2021
Olli-Pekka Rissanen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Finance, tel. 0295 530 364