In today’s digital landscape, domain registration is crucial for individuals and businesses. However, the growing threat of fraudulent activities associated with domain registrations demands stronger security measures. Electronic identification (eID) systems offer a promising solution to combat fraud during domain registration. This article explores the concept of electronic identification and its potential to significantly enhance security in domain registration and other online activities.
The Swedish Example
At the recent EuroDIG 2023 conference, an inspiring case study from Sweden was highlighted. Loopia, a Swedish registrar, employs BankID, an electronic identification platform supported by Swedish banks and the government. BankID is widely used by over 90% of Swedish citizens and serves as a gold standard for identity verification. Loopia’s proactive approach in adopting BankID has reduced the risk of fraudulent domain registrations. However, to fully secure the “.se” country code top-level domain (ccTLD), broader adoption among Swedish registrars and enforcement by the ccTLD operator are essential.
I thank Daniel Överfjord from Loopia for his case study made at EuroDIG 2023: https://eurodigwiki.org/wiki/Efforts_in_shaping_secure_online_environment_by_various_DNS_actors_%E2%80%93_Pre_06_2023
The UK’s Current Status
In contrast to Sweden, the UK’s progress in implementing eID systems has been relatively slower. Initiatives such as GOV.UK Verify, aimed at secure identity verification for government services, have been introduced. Efforts have also been made to establish a regulatory framework for eID, including public consultations and the creation of a dedicated office.
However, the UK seems more focused on digitizing identity documents rather than implementing a comprehensive eID system. This divergence of approach suggests a lack of understanding regarding the significance of online fraud and the importance of eIDs in securing online activities.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-legislation-set-to-make-digital-identities-more-trustworthy-and-secure
Within the private sector in the UK, we have schemes like https://www.yoti.com/, which aims to provide a digital version of the ID card to provide proof of age in physical shops, it is also developing the standard of verifying identity online which seems to be a good step forward but is no where near where Sweden seems to be in adoption of eID’s.
The Need for a Unified Global Standard
The core issue lies in the absence of a standard authentication mechanism and a shared platform across the internet. Each website has its own login system, relying on trust that users will adhere to terms and conditions.
However, this approach proves ineffective as the internet expands and faces escalating risks from illegal content, scams, and identity theft.
The Swedish BankID model stands out as a robust solution where banks and the government collaborate to establish a trusted identity verification system, however it doesn’t provide online platform operators a way to use this for user authentication. These types of schemes focus more on securing a transaction, for example, an application for a service or product which could pose a risk to other people, if used improperly.
Towards a Global Solution
While country-specific systems like BankID have limitations, there is potential for a unified global platform. The global community could come together to develop an API-based platform that connects various national eID schemes, providing a standardized authentication method for websites worldwide.
This platform could also address the password problem by offering a Single Sign-On (SSO) service, enabling users to authenticate across multiple online platforms, by using auth tokens for websites. However, privacy concerns may pose challenges to the widespread adoption of such a platform.
Conclusion
Electronic identification systems have the potential to revolutionize the security of domain registration and other online activities. The Swedish example demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between the private sector and the government. While the UK has made some progress, it must strive to prioritize the adoption of comprehensive eID systems. Moreover, the global community should explore avenues for a unified, API-based platform to provide standardized authentication across websites worldwide. By embracing electronic identification, we can fortify the internet’s security, protect against fraud, and ensure accountability for online actions.
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