It is safe to say that e-identification has come to play an important role in our everyday lives. Who even remembers the time when the agile service did not exist? E-identification has come to take over almost all occasions when we have to identify ourselves. It is almost only at passport and driving license checks, as well as at Systembolaget, that a physical identification is needed.
At present, there are a number of e-identifications available, but it is above all one that dominates the market. It is BankID and soon the service will celebrate 20 years.
The banks were given an assignment
The idea for electronic signatures and identifications came when the computer began to be used more frequently. On the other hand, amendments to the law were required in order for an electronic signature to be equated with a physical one. Within the EU, this change came in 2001.
It was the internet banks that got in assignment to develop an e-identification. They were already established on the internet and customers had begun to get used to doing banking online. In 2002, the joint company Finansiell ID-Teknik BID AB was formed. The company is currently owned by several Swedish banks, of which SEB owns 18 percent and is the largest owner. In 2003, the first version of BankID was released. During its first year, it is used by over 100,000 users. As the service grew, more people joined the service, including the Swedish Tax Agency. In 2005, more than 500,000 users submitted their declarations with BankID. In 2011, the service in mobile was launched and Mobile BankID was born.
Today, more than 8 million Swedes use some form of BankID and it is the largest e-identification in Sweden.
Several uses
The first to start using BankID were the internet banks and the Swedish Tax Agency. BankID is used as identification when logging in and for signing agreements and making information changes. Right from the start, several services were interested in joining. BankID is now used to get in touch with healthcare institutions, authorities and other agencies.
It is also used by member associations and by companies that need to confirm your identity. BankID has made it possible to play at the casino without registration. It allows you to verify yourself without having to submit a manual verification with passport copies and personal information. You can also manage your deposits and withdrawals with the help of BankID. This is especially true if you use payment methods such as. Trustly or Swish.
A haunting problem
BankID is a well-functioning service that has been praised for being both flexible and time-saving. However, there is a problem. As BankID is the largest service of its kind, companies and users can become vulnerable. Should there be congestion problems, or attacks on the service, it will affect a larger part of Sweden’s population. So far, no such problems have arisen for a long time, but it is something that society needs to think about. No matter how good BankID is other options may be needed to avoid users being left without access to necessary services.
In just 20 years, BankID has changed the way we live our lives. It has its advantages and disadvantages, but there is no denying that this technological innovation has made our everyday life easier – whether it is about handling important matters or taking part in entertainment.
