identitetskonti

Identitetskonti, or identity accounts, is a term for a digital repository that stores verified identity attributes about an individual. The concept encompasses centralized and distributed implementations and can be run by individuals, organizations, or governments. An identitetskonti typically includes attributes such as legal name, date of birth, nationality, and one or more verified credentials (for instance a government-issued ID or a professional license). The main goal is to enable reliable authentication and selective disclosure of attributes across services, reducing the need for repeated verification.

In practice, an identitetskonti may act as a digital wallet or identity hub. An identity provider issues and signs credentials, while service providers request proof of specific attributes. Users can present verifiable claims, often through cryptographic proofs, without exposing unnecessary data. Data minimization and explicit consent are central principles.

Benefits include faster onboarding, improved fraud prevention, and smoother cross-service authentication. Such systems can support regulatory requirements such as Know Your Customer and anti-money laundering processes by providing auditable identity evidence. Implementations range from national identity schemes to commercial identity wallets and federated ecosystems.

Privacy and security are core concerns. Systems must protect against unauthorized access, credential misuse, and data breaches. Regulations such as the European Union's GDPR and, where applicable, eIDAS, govern data processing, consent, retention, and cross-border recognition. Interoperability and governance frameworks are often needed to enable trusted exchanges among identity providers, relying parties, and users, including self-sovereign identity approaches.

Common challenges include achieving interoperability, credential revocation, usability, and balancing privacy with verification needs.

See also: self-sovereign identity, verifiable credentials, digital wallet, eIDAS, KYC, identity provider.