Poland's mDowód Digital ID Hits 8 Million Users

Published Date : 28/10/2024 

Poland's national digital identity, mDowód, has reached 8 million users, marking a significant milestone in the country's digital transformation. The app, which includes a range of digital documents, aims to offer a convenient alternative to physical IDs. 

Poland’s national digital identity has reached a significant milestone, with over 8 million users signing up for the mDowód digital ID.

According to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the country introduced the mDowód as an alternative to physical ID cards in July of last year.

The digital ID is now recognized in government offices, banks, post offices, and even polling places during elections.

Krzysztof Gawkowski, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitization, expressed his satisfaction with the growing acceptance of the digital ID.

‘Our goal is for digital identity to be as common as physical documents, and I am glad that more and more Poles appreciate this solution,’ he said.

Despite the positive reception, the 8 million mDowód users only represent a fraction of Poland’s 36.8 million population.

The digital ID still lags behind the bank-issued eID mojeID, which boasts 22 million customers.

The eID mojeID was developed by Kir, the country’s clearing house, in collaboration with major Polish banks.

Information on the mDowód can be verified through QR codes within the mObywatel mobile app, a public platform that stores various electronic documents.

The app, supported by Warsaw-based digital identity verification company Authologic, also recently completed its Series A funding round.

Beyond the digital ID, the mObywatel app contains a range of documents, including mobile driving licenses (mDL), student and pensioner cards, and educational and professional qualifications.

As of January this year, the app has been downloaded over 16 million times, according to the Polish Press Agency.

However, the platform has faced some criticism over security concerns.

SecuRing consultant Szymon Chadam presented a case study earlier this year, highlighting that although mObywatel offers a strong cryptographic verification method using QR codes, only 25 percent of high-risk organizations actually utilize this method.

Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Digital Affairs remains committed to expanding the adoption of digital ID in Poland, aiming to make it a seamless and secure part of daily life for all citizens. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What is mDowód?

A: mDowód is Poland's national digital ID, which can be used as an alternative to physical ID cards. It is recognized in various institutions including government offices, banks, post offices, and polling places.

Q: How many users does mDowód have?

A: As of the latest update, mDowód has reached over 8 million users in Poland.

Q: What other documents are included in the mObywatel app?

A: The mObywatel app includes a mobile driving license (mDL), student and pensioner cards, and educational and professional qualifications along with the digital ID.

Q: What are the security concerns with mObywatel?

A: One of the main security concerns is that despite offering a strong cryptographic verification method using QR codes, only a quarter of high-risk organizations actually use this method.

Q: Who developed the eID mojeID?

A: The eID mojeID was developed by Kir, the clearing house in Poland, in collaboration with major Polish banks. 

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