How the EUDI Wallet Protects Your Data
Security and privacy are not optional features of the EUDI Wallet - they are fundamental requirements mandated by eIDAS 2.0 regulation. Every implementation must meet strict cybersecurity standards defined in the Architecture and Reference Framework (ARF 2.7.3).
Core Security Principles
1. Decentralized Data Storage
Your data never leaves your device
Unlike traditional systems where governments or companies store your data in central databases, the EUDI Wallet stores credentials exclusively on your smartphone in a secure hardware element.
Why This Matters
- No central "honeypot" database for hackers to target
- Government cannot access your wallet remotely
- Data breaches at service providers don't expose your credentials
- You have full physical control over your data
2. End-to-End Encryption
Data is encrypted from your device to the recipient
When you share credentials, they're encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted by the authorized recipient. Even if someone intercepts the transmission, they get unreadable encrypted data.
- Encryption at rest: Data stored on your device is encrypted even when the phone is off
- Encryption in transit: Data being transmitted is encrypted during transfer
- Perfect forward secrecy: Each session uses unique encryption keys
- Hardware-backed keys: Encryption keys stored in secure element, not accessible to apps
3. Selective Disclosure (Privacy by Design)
Share only what's necessary, nothing more
This is the EUDI Wallet's killer privacy feature. Instead of showing your entire ID card, you prove specific attributes without revealing underlying data.
Real-World Examples
| Scenario | Traditional ID | EUDI Wallet (Selective Disclosure) |
|---|---|---|
| Buy alcohol (age verification) | ❌ Show full ID with name, address, birthdate, photo, ID number | ✅ Confirm "Over 18: Yes" - nothing else shared |
| Hotel check-in | ❌ Give photocopied ID with all personal data | ✅ Share name + verification of valid ID - address stays private |
| Car rental | ❌ Show ID + driver's license (duplicate data) | ✅ Verify: valid driver's license + age - no duplication needed |
| Online account signup | ❌ Manual entry: name, birthdate, address, scan ID front/back | ✅ One-tap verification: "Resident of EU: Yes" - no PII shared |
4. Biometric Authentication
Only you can unlock your wallet
Every time you use the EUDI Wallet, you must authenticate with:
- Face ID / Face recognition: iOS and Android facial biometrics
- Fingerprint: Touch ID or in-screen fingerprint readers
- PIN code: 6-digit minimum, with rate limiting (locked after failed attempts)
Important: Biometric Data Never Leaves Your Device
Your face scan or fingerprint is processed entirely on your phone's secure enclave. Neither the government nor service providers ever receive your biometric data. It's used only for local authentication.
5. Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)
Legally binding digital signatures
The EUDI Wallet supports Qualified Electronic Signatures, which are legally equivalent to handwritten signatures under EU law. This enables:
- Signing contracts remotely with full legal validity
- Submitting official documents to government agencies
- Authorizing financial transactions
- Verifying the authenticity of documents you receive
Privacy Protections
GDPR Compliance
The EUDI Wallet implements all GDPR principles:
- Data minimization: Collect and share only necessary data through selective disclosure
- Purpose limitation: Data shared for one purpose cannot be reused for another without consent
- Storage limitation: Service providers cannot store your credentials; they verify and discard
- Accuracy: You control and update your data; incorrect data can be corrected at source
- Integrity and confidentiality: End-to-end encryption ensures data protection
- Accountability: Audit logs show exactly who accessed what and when
Your Privacy Rights
The EUDI Wallet gives you full control:
✅ Right to Know
View audit logs showing every data request: who, what, when, where
✅ Right to Consent
Explicit permission required for every data share - no silent tracking
✅ Right to Erasure
Delete credentials, revoke access, clear history anytime
✅ Right to Portability
Export your data or switch to different wallet provider
Anti-Tracking Design
Service providers cannot track you across different services
- No persistent identifiers: Each interaction uses temporary, unique identifiers
- No cross-service correlation: Hotel A cannot tell if you also used wallet at Hotel B
- Government cannot surveil: Issuer doesn't know when/where you use credentials
- No behavioral profiling: Usage patterns cannot be analyzed or sold
Technical Security Features
Secure Element (Hardware Security)
Your EUDI Wallet credentials are stored in a secure element - a tamper-resistant hardware chip separate from your phone's main processor.
How Secure Elements Work
Think of it as a mini-vault inside your phone. Even if someone gains root access to your operating system or installs malware, they cannot extract data from the secure element. It's the same technology used in:
- Contactless payment cards (Visa/Mastercard)
- Government ePassports with chips
- SIM cards in mobile phones
- Hardware security keys (YubiKey)
NFC Security
When you tap your phone to read a physical ID card via NFC:
- Short range: Works only within 4cm - prevents remote skimming
- Encrypted channel: Communication between card and phone is encrypted
- Active authentication: Card proves it's genuine (anti-cloning)
- Pace protection: Password-authenticated connection establishment
QR Code Verification
For in-person verification (e.g., showing age at a bar):
- Time-limited codes: QR expires after 30-60 seconds
- Single-use: Each QR code can be scanned only once
- Cryptographically signed: Verifier confirms authenticity via digital signature
- Minimal data: QR contains only the verification result, not your full credentials
Offline Verification
The wallet works without internet connection for basic verifications:
- Credentials cached on device with cryptographic signatures
- Verifier checks signature against trusted public keys (pre-loaded)
- No real-time connection to government servers needed
- Perfect for areas with poor connectivity (mountains, cruise ships, airplanes)
Threat Protection
Protection Against Common Attacks
| Threat | How EUDI Wallet Protects You |
|---|---|
| Phishing | App verifies service provider's digital certificate before sharing data. Fake websites cannot impersonate legitimate services. |
| Man-in-the-middle | End-to-end encryption prevents interception. Even if network is compromised, attacker gets encrypted gibberish. |
| Device malware | Credentials in secure element isolated from OS. Malware cannot extract keys or credentials. |
| Physical theft | Biometric/PIN required to unlock. Remote revocation available. Device binding prevents transfer to thief's phone. |
| Replay attacks | Nonces (random numbers) and timestamps prevent reuse of old verification messages. |
| Identity forgery | Cryptographic signatures from issuer (government) cannot be forged. Verifier checks signature against trusted public keys. |
| Social engineering | Audit logs show suspicious patterns. Clear consent dialogs explain exactly what's being shared. |
Incident Response
If you suspect compromise:
- Immediate remote lock: Log in to government portal, revoke credentials instantly
- Report incident: National CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) investigates
- Re-issue credentials: Free, instant digital re-issuance on new device
- Forensic review: Audit logs identify what was accessed and by whom
Certification & Compliance
Mandatory Security Certifications
Every EUDI Wallet implementation must obtain:
- eIDAS 2.0 certification: Compliance with EU regulation requirements
- Common Criteria EAL4+: International security certification
- FIPS 140-2/3: Cryptographic module validation (US standard, adopted globally)
- GDPR certification: Data protection compliance verification
- ISO/IEC 27001: Information security management certification
Independent Audits
EUDI Wallet implementations undergo:
- Annual security audits: Independent third-party penetration testing
- Code reviews: Open-source components reviewed by security researchers
- Vulnerability disclosure program: Bug bounties for responsible disclosure
- ENISA oversight: European Union Agency for Cybersecurity monitors implementations
Comparison: EUDI Wallet vs Alternatives
| Feature | EUDI Wallet | Commercial Apps (Google/Apple) | Physical Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data ownership | ✅ You (device storage) | ⚠️ Company (cloud storage) | ✅ You (physical possession) |
| Selective disclosure | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Tracking prevention | ✅ By design | ❌ Tracking for ads | ✅ No tracking |
| Legal recognition | ✅ Full (eIDAS 2.0) | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Full |
| Cost | ✅ Free (government) | ⚠️ Free but data harvesting | ⚠️ Replacement fees |
| Open standards | ✅ Yes (ARF 2.7.3) | ❌ Proprietary | N/A |
Best Practices for Users
Maximize Your Security
- Use strong biometrics: Enable Face ID or fingerprint - don't rely on PIN alone
- Keep OS updated: Install phone security updates promptly
- Review audit logs monthly: Check who accessed your data - spot anomalies early
- Enable remote lock: Set up online portal access before you need it
- Don't screenshot credentials: Screenshots bypass security - use wallet directly
- Verify service providers: Check certificate before sharing - don't ignore warnings
What NOT to Do
- ❌ Don't share your PIN with anyone (not even family)
- ❌ Don't jailbreak/root your phone (breaks security guarantees)
- ❌ Don't install wallet apps from third-party stores (only official App Store/Play)
- ❌ Don't approve data requests you don't understand (read carefully)
- ❌ Don't use on public/shared devices (use only your personal phone)
The Bottom Line
The EUDI Wallet is designed with a simple principle: Your data, your control, your privacy.
Unlike commercial solutions that monetize your data, the EUDI Wallet is a public infrastructure built for citizens. Security and privacy aren't afterthoughts - they're regulatory requirements enforced by law.
You decide what to share, with whom, and when. You see exactly who accessed your data. You can revoke access anytime. And because your data never leaves your device, there's no central database to breach.
This is digital identity done right.
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