(Opinion) As a first, the Finnish Border Guard is testing digital IDs and travel documents at Helsinki Airport’s border control in collaboration with Finnair, Finnish police, Finavia, and others.
This aligns with the European Commission’s digitalization agenda but raises concerns about data privacy, security, misuse of personal information, government control, individual freedoms, and exclusion of those without digital access.
The initiative must address these concerns for widespread acceptance and adoption.
From August 28 to February, the pilot invites Finnish customers flying Finnair to or from specific UK cities to test the Digital Travel Credentials (DTC).
The DTC aims to speed up border crossings without compromising security.
Participants must register on the border guard’s website, download the FIN DTC Pilot app, register with the police, and send data to the Finnish Border Guard before their flight.
Funded by the European Commission with €2.3 million (US$2.6 million), the pilot is part of a broader digital identity policy package and will be tested in Croatia.
Success depends on effective stakeholder collaboration and seamless integration into existing processes.
There is a risk of over-reliance on technology, which could be problematic during technical issues or system failures, necessitating contingency plans.
Before the Covid shutdown, the EU Commission planned a similar pilot involving KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Netherlands, and Canada, focusing on biometrics and blockchain.
The Commission is also developing a digital Schengen visa requiring biometric data from first-time applicants.
Mika Hansson of the Finnish National Police Board showcased various digital travel credentials at Identity Week Europe, including a ‘type 3’ credential eliminating the need for physical documents.
Addressing these critical concerns is vital for the initiative’s success and widespread adoption.