EU's digital identity wallet sparks privacy backlash ahead of 2027 launch
The EU's upcoming digital identity wallet, known as the EUDI Wallet, is facing criticism over privacy concerns. While the system is designed to let users verify themselves with self-chosen pseudonyms, new proposals could force them to share biometric facial data with private firms. Ten European organisations have now raised alarms, claiming the European Commission is weakening agreed legal protections.
The EUDI Wallet is scheduled to launch in Germany on January 2, 2027. No other EU member state has confirmed plans to operate or test the system before this date, despite the eIDAS 2.0 regulation requiring all countries to provide it by December 2026. Pilot projects, such as one in Dresden, are expected to begin only in mid-2026.
Under the current eIDAS rules, users can register with pseudonyms. However, the Commission is pushing changes that critics say undermine this right. One proposal would make biometric facial data a mandatory part of the wallet's core identification dataset. Another allows 'relying parties'—private companies or services—to request registration certificates on a voluntary basis, depending on the member state. This could lead to demands for excessive user data, raising fears of misuse. The Commission has previously faced backlash for inconsistent policies on trusted party registration. Now, ten advocacy groups have signed an open letter accusing it of eroding citizens' fundamental rights. They argue that the changes conflict with safeguards agreed upon by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
The EUDI Wallet's rollout in Germany will mark its first official use. If the Commission's proposals go ahead, users may lose control over their biometric data. The open letter from advocacy groups highlights growing unease over how the system could compromise privacy before it even begins.
