EU's Digital Identity Systems - Reality Check and Techniques for Better Privacy

Explore a critical conference talk from the 38th Chaos Communication Congress (38C3) examining the EU's digital identity systems, particularly focusing on the eIDAS regulation and its implications. Gain insights into how these systems are reshaping online authentication while learning about their potential impact on privacy and security. The presenters, Thomas Lohninger from digital rights NGO epicenter.works and Professor Anja Lehmann, a cryptography expert from Hasso-Plattner-Institute, provide a comprehensive reality check on the underlying technology and trajectory of EU digital identity initiatives including the Digital Euro, EU Digital Travel App, and Age Verification Apps. Discover the proposed technical eIDAS architecture, understand cryptographers' feedback on the EU Digital Identity's ARF, and learn about zero-knowledge proofs as potential solutions for enhancing security and privacy in digital identity systems. This 42-minute presentation offers both a critical assessment of current developments and a forward-looking perspective on how modern cryptography might address privacy concerns in these increasingly prevalent systems.