Digital identity for everyone: Wildberger wants to revolutionize administration!

Digital identity for everyone: Wildberger wants to revolutionize administration!

Karsten Wildberger (CDU) has taken office as the new Federal Minister for Digitalization and State Modernization. In his role, he advocates for comprehensive digitalization that allows both citizens and companies to benefit from simpler and faster administration. Wildberger emphasizes that digitalization must be integrated into everyday life. This includes basic services such as address reporting, bank account opening, contract signing and online vehicle registration. A central goal is the introduction of a digital identity for everyone in Germany.

The initiative stipulates that in the future all citizens will need a digital identity that is secured in a digital wallet. This wallet is intended to contain a variety of important documents, including ID cards, driver's licenses, local transport tickets, certificates, professional qualifications, as well as bank authorizations and credit cards. Security and data protection are our top priority.

European cooperation and cloud infrastructure

Wildberger plans to discuss possible AI gigafactories in the EU and develop an agenda in coordination with European colleagues at the beginning of next month. Another focus of his work is supporting European companies in building cloud infrastructure. Wildberger is currently going public with criticism that around 65% of the public cloud infrastructure goes to only three large non-European providers. This shows the need for action to make Europe more independent in digital infrastructure.

Another important aspect that Wildberger points out is the EU Directive 2016/2102, which obliges public bodies in Germany to design their websites and mobile applications in a barrier-free manner. The aim of this regulation is to enable people with disabilities unrestricted access to digital offerings. User groups such as people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, movement restrictions or cognitive impairments are particularly affected. The need for tools and functions, such as screen readers and a variety of input options, is emphasized.

Accessibility is important not only for people with permanent disabilities, but also for those with temporary impairments, such as illness or injury. Therefore, barrier-free digital infrastructure represents a decisive step towards an inclusive society.

By combining digital identity and barrier-free design, Wildberger wants to create a binding basis that is accessible to all citizens. This could make administration significantly more efficient and user-friendly and represent a significant step forward in the digitalization of the public sector.

It remains to be seen how developments progress at the European level and to what extent the planned measures in the area of ​​digital identity and cloud infrastructure can be concretely implemented.