In the MyData Matters blog series, MyData members introduce innovative solutions that align with MyData principles, emphasising ethical data practices, user and business empowerment, and privacy.
Wallets offer opportunities for privacy-friendly, proactive services and new use cases based on verifiable data. Are you wondering how your organisation can utilise opportunities of wallets or how your organisation can start? Last year InnoValor conducted research, exploring the impact of wallets in the Dutch public sector. In this blog, we share the most important insights.
Public service providers in the EU are following the arrival of European Digital Identity (EUDI) wallets with growing interest. Wallets give citizens the ability to securely manage, store and share their electronic identity and personal data under their own control.
The revision of the European eIDAS regulation requires public service providers to accept EUDI wallets as a means of digital identification and authentication by the end of 2026. In the Netherlands, several public service providers are already testing the functionality of wallets. For instance, the municipality of Nijmegen uses Yivi. There are, however, significant differences in adoption between service providers.
Opportunities: In addition to the mandatory acceptance, there are significant opportunities when using the EUDI wallet to share verifiable data. During interviews with seven Dutch public service providers, multiple opportunities were mentioned, such as personalised and proactive services, and the rollout of new use cases that previously were not possible. The use of wallets in public services also offers possibilities for data minimisation, risk minimisation, and more efficient digital services.
Wallets explained
Wallets often come as a smartphone app, where the user can store and manage their digital identity and other personal data. Data is stored in the wallet in the form of attributes. These are verifiable sets of data: think of your name, date of birth, diploma, or even something as simple as a loyalty card.
Wallets fit well into the European data strategy, where citizens (and businesses) have privacy and control over their own data. They also align with the MyData vision and Operator thinking.
Getting started: If you are a public sector service provider and you want to act within your organisation or gain more control over developments related to EUDI wallets, you can take the following steps.
- Explore what wallets as a technology and concept mean.
- Assess the impact of wallets on existing services.
- Gain insight into the playing field, relevant stakeholders, and partners.
- Test wallets within concrete use cases and pilots.
- Explore the impact on the organisation’s existing systems.
The EUDI wallet is a complex development. The interviewed service providers all recognise the significant impact it will have on their services. As the obligation will come into effect at the end of 2026, it is important to start preparing now.
More insights: Because of the obligation, service providers will have to determine the impact of the EUDI wallet on their services. In the research conducted by InnoValor, they looked at which (pre)conditions are needed to successfully use wallets and how wallets can best be implemented to improve personal services and thus solve the challenges that play a role in this domain. Curious about all the insights? Read the entire research paper. There InnoValor also provides practical tips and tools to get started as an organisation.
Reading Guide:
This blog is based on a white paper published by InnoValor. The full-length version of this paper (in Dutch) can be found here. An English management summary including the conclusion and recommendations can be found here.
Results are based on desk research and interviews with multiple Dutch public sector service providers. Although the interviews were focussed on the chances and challenges related to the implementation of EUDI wallets in the Netherlands, we believe most results are applicable to public service providers in other member states as well.
ABOUT INNOVALOR
With over 10 years of experience, we are experts in responsible digital innovation. Our specialists combine in-depth knowledge and practical experience to investigate complex digital technologies and challenges and provide advice on their impact. We work for various large clients in the public sector, where we contribute to sustainable and future-proof digital innovation.
Digital identities and personal data management (PDM) have been part of our expertise since the beginning of InnoValor Advies. We conducted research for the Dutch national PDM program, the Dutch Blue Button initiative and work on a national ID wallet innovation project. We also organised training courses and workshops at various public service providers. In addition, we are founding members of MyData and are actively supporting their mission.