Elctronic Identitry Management Infrastructure for Trustworthy Services in e-Government and e-Commerce

A number of potential initiatives are being considered including the creation of a international electronic identity management infrastructure for trustworthy services in e-government and e-commerce. A lot of work has been done in recent years in the field of electronic identity management, including through a series of research programs and pilot projects. While each of these projects contributes new elements to the field of electronic identity management, it is also clear that the results will need to be developed further, refined and integrated. This paper would open the discussion on the need for a “multi-faceted electronic Identification (eID) system for all citizens", as a key enabler for trustworthy interactions between public authorities, businesses, citizens, and within the large spectrum of social networks and communities. This concept, which is also referred to as an ubiquitous eID infrastructure for digital life, is envisaged to offer a wide range of functionalities, including the provision of multiple identity instances, from government-accredited to commercially accepted, and ranging from near-anonymity to strong and unambiguous identification. Furthermore, the system should be user-controlled and privacy-protective, providing the basis for accountability and innovative applications in an open and competitive market.