Opening an account made easy
21.12.2017 - Since July 2017, the legislator has enabled a new way of reading and using the data stored on the ID card chip. Wherever personal data is to be transferred to a form, so-called on-site reading is available. With this on-site identification, ID card holders do not need any technology, an activated online ID card function or a PIN. All ID cards issued since November 2010 (currently over 56 million cards) can be used for on-site reading. This enables companies and authorities to transfer the required personal data directly into their systems quickly, easily and without errors. On-site reading requires authorization from the Federal Office of Administration (BVA). S-Direkt Marketing GmbH has received the first authorization certificate to enable all 396 German savings banks to take advantage of this new option in future, especially for account openings in their branches.
Klaus Wolter, Head of the Authorization Certificate Issuing Office at the BVA, is pleased about the first application and approval for such an authorization certificate: "We are certain that this new option for using chip data will clearly demonstrate the advantages of the entire ID card infrastructure. It will support the online use that has been possible since 2010." Wolter continues: "Of course, the data contained on the ID card chip must not be transferred without prior verification. The data can only be read once the card holder has given their consent and the photo has been successfully compared with the access number printed on the ID card or CAN, in the case of the savings banks, by the clerk in the branch."
Matthias Drefs, Head of Central Services and Project Planning at S Direkt-Marketing GmbH, is also pleased with the authorization granted for on-site reading: "We can offer our savings banks a service that leads to 100% customer data in their systems on the one hand and, on the other hand, allows more time for individual customer advice at the counter thanks to the fast processing of the data transfer."
Some preparatory work is still required
The federal government's software, AusweisApp2, which was previously designed for online use, will still need to be modified for on-site reading. As soon as this has been implemented, both the AusweisApp2 and the required card readers will be rolled out in one or more savings banks in order to test the smooth process in so-called pilot projects. Talks are already underway with several savings banks for such a pilot project.
"We are currently assuming that we will be able to deliver the AusweisApp2 for on-site reading with the CAN during the first quarter of 2018," says Dr. Stephan Klein, Managing Director of Governikus GmbH & Co. KG, which is developing AusweisApp2 on behalf of the federal government. "We are convinced that the future of electronic identities also depends on the secure use and responsible handling of personal data. The ID card has already proven itself in this respect over the past 7 years." The server-based counterpart required for reading ID card data, a so-called eID server, will be operated for S-Direkt in Governikus' certified data center in the future.
Press contact
Governikus GmbH & Co. KG
Silke Heitmann
Phone: +49 421 204 95-0
E-mail: redaktion@governikus.de