eIDAS 2.0: Challenges, perspectives and proposals to avoid contradictions between eIDAS 2.0 and SSI

Abstract

The proposal for review of the eIDAS Regulation from 2021 has opened strong expectations for a deep change in traditional identity models. The user-centric identity model proposed starts with the creation of European Digital Identity Wallets that will enable citizens’ control over their data in identification and authentication processes without control by entities providing the identification services. Likewise, with the proposed legal rules for giving legal certainty to electronic ledgers and blockchains, [eIDAS2]opens possibilities to decentralization, especially for the provision and management of user’s attributes. The implementation of qualified trust services for attestations or electronic ledgers limits decentralization by requirement of a trusted 3rd party. Standardization will be key in assuring interoperability at the EU level. What are the challenges and opportunities of eIDAS 2.0? And what are the main focuses and needs of (European) standardization? These and other questions will be analysed and discussed in the paper.