The new identity card or the new Monaco residence permit will allow the inhabitants of the principality to demonstrate their identity online, announced Monday, June 28, the principality which is one of the first states in the world to offer a service of this type.

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Equipped with an electronic chip, the new identity documents which begin this week to be put into circulation to Internet users to create a “Numeric identityStrong, recognized by the principality This will allow them to complete online procedures that require a maximum level of authentication, such as signing a document with the same legal force as a handwritten signature.

At the cutting edge of technology

“With this digital identity with probative value, we are probably in the top 5 states in the world», Frédéric Genta, in charge of the digital transition in the principality, told AFP. Giving Internet users a way to identify themselves in a secure way in the digital world is an objective for many States which fear to see the Gafam seize this power to give an identity, sovereign par excellence.

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But many of them have so far struggled to define their strategy, like France, which has not yet decided on the means to achieve it. However, according to the president of the French group IN Groupe, heir to the Imprimerie Nationale and who designed the Monegasque system, the Covid-19 has raised awareness of the importance of online procedures, and “We feel in our discussions with the States a desire to accelerate“He told AFP.

Activation, procedure

The system chosen by Monaco is based on a new identity card or residence permit containing an electronic chip. Once they have been given this card, the Internet user will use it to activate this digital identity and in particular to create a 5-digit secret code.

When he wants to communicate his identity online, he will have two solutions: either have his card read by a small smart card reader connected to his computer, which will ask him to enter his secret code and validate his identity. Or use their smartphone which, via the MConnect Mobile application, will also ask them to enter their code. If the maximum level of security is required, the Internet user must also bring his identity document closer to his smartphone.

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For the moment, the Monegasque digital identity gives access to administrative services, or to those of the telecom operator Monaco Telecom or the water and electricity distributor, SMEG. France has started to move forward towards a solution of this type, with the gradual introduction over the past few weeks of a new identity card containing an electronic chip which will allow “derive»A digital identity. But the exact terms of this future service have not yet been defined.