Kris De Ryck, CEO of Belgian Mobile ID, discusses itsme®, Belgian example of different actors joining forces around mobile identity and digital privacy. Kris will be speaking at our Member Meeting in Paris in September. Please register to hear more from Kris and other experts!
1. How does the itsme® solution work?
Belgian Mobile ID revealed in May 2017 the itsme® mobile app which ensures that every user in the digital space can prove his or her identity beyond any doubt.
The itsme® app enables you to:
- create an account by sharing your (verified) digital ID
- log into websites and apps quickly and safely
- confirm digital orders, transactions or payments
- sign official documents
Always know what you are sharing
Creating an account and easily sharing your data sounds great. But of course you do not want to reveal more than necessary. With itsme®, you always know precisely which data you are sharing.
Log in anywhere with the same code
Say goodbye to those tedious lists of passwords and usernames! With itsme®, you can easily let people know who you are and securely login whenever you want with the same code.
Bye bye card reader and sms OTP!
With itsme®, you no longer need a card reader or an sms OTP to confirm transactions. Just enter your 5-digit itsme® code or scan your fingerprint, and you’re done. A much safer and faster way to approve transactions.
Secure from top to toe
itsme® only works with these three elements present: ① your mobile phone, ② your SIM card and ③ your personal itsme® code. This unique combination turns itsme® into your personal highly secured digital ID.
2. Why did you decide to include both banks and mobile operators in the solution?
The itsme® solution is built on verified ID’s and the highest level of security. In order to guarantee this superior quality level, Belgian Mobile ID created an open ID scheme allowing all eligible parties to participate in the ecosystem.
The verified ID’s are delivered by the collaborating banks. They have a legal obligation to perform a strong ‘Know-Your-Customer’ and itsme® offers them an opportunity to valorise this asset.
The software security behind the solution is provided by Gemalto. But on top of that itsme® also makes use of the SIM card as hardware secure element which is a function delivered by the network operators. The applet on the SIM-card, developed by Belgian Mobile ID, can be loaded over-the-air and does not require a SIM-swap which is highly beneficial for the business case.
This explains why banks and mobile operators were highly motivated to join forces to create the Belgian reference for mobile identity and digital privacy.
3. Has this been launched already – how is it going?
itsme® first saw the light of day on 30th May 2017: a mobile app enabling users to log in foolproof to websites & apps and to approve digital transactions in a simple and secure way. From the moment it was launched, itsme® attracted great interest from leading innovators such as Randstad (HR), Doccle (document management), ClearMedia, Proximus EnCo (developers portal) and Bolero (investments platform).
Then, from autumn 2017, take-up of the app accelerated significantly with the launch of the first itsme® applications by banks and telcos at ING, Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, Fintro, Hello Bank!, KBC/CBC and Proximus.
In mid-January 2018, recognition from the Belgian government as e-identification means (Level of Assurance HIGH) followed, as well as activation on CSAM (federal gateway) with a whole series of attractive services for the general public.
It is this combination of private and public use that has generated the strong dynamic growth that in July sees 500,000 active users using itsme® for more than 1,5 million transactions per month – a performance we’re proud of!
