Why should I, as an individual, want a UCD-style digital wallet ?
It won’t change your life. But doing stuff on line will gradually become better. You won’t have to manage as many usernames and passwords, or other authentication mechansims. You will enjoy bank-grade security, & better privacy. And life will become easier, since you will be able to do more things online more easily, all based […]
Why do I need a wallet provider?
There is a purist approach to UCD in which individuals don’t need a wallet provider, and rely instead only on software installed only on their own device. While it might be possible to make this work technically, there are two main reasons why we think there is a need to involve wallet providers The first […]
Will a digital wallet cost me anything ?
No. The costs of running the UCD infrastructure will be paid by the service providers who choose to interact with you via your digital wallet. And they will be happy to pay in return for a better experience for their customers, lower costs, and easier compliance with data protection legislation.
What happens if a wallet provider fails ?
Since UCD wallet providers will be private or third-sector organisations, all competing for custom from individuals, there is a possibility that one or more could either fail commercially, or simply decide to exit the wallet market. Should this happen, the company in question will be obliged – under its contractual agreements with UCDx – to […]
Who will be the first wallet providers?
UCD can only become infrastructure, and reach national scale, if users are given a choice between different wallet providers, and are assured of interoperability and account portabiity between them. Initially, we expect that wallet providers will be SMEs, suitably regulated by DSIT, and presently acting as commercial identity proofing providers (IdPPs). Many of these companies […]
Can I delete my wallet ?
Yes. Just as an individual can choose to destroy a real-world wallet, and everything within it, so an individual will be able to delete their own digital wallet and any data within it. If they do so, they will have to re-establish online relationships with every service provider by some other means. This will be […]
Will my wallet provider (or others) have access to my data?
Not in normal use. A wallet provider will not have the right to look inside an individual’s wallet or make any use of the data therein. However, occasions may arise where a wallet provider, probably working on behalf of others (such as the State or a relative) needs to gain access to such data. In […]
Will I have to have, or use, a unique identity / number?
No. UCD will be designed to avoid – at the infrastructure level – any unique identifiers for individuals, making it more difficult for counterparties to exchange personal data between their back offices without involvement of the individual. Instead, they will need to ask the individual, via their wallet account, to disclose the data. Note, however, […]
How many wallets can I have?
As many as you like. But – just as too many bank accounts or wallets becomes a nuisance – so most people will find that it’s easier to have just one or two digital wallets. Otherwise, they may find that the data that they need to share via one wallet is only present in a […]
Will I have to prove my identity in order to get a digital wallet ?
No. Just like signing up for a conventional account on any website, the only thing that an individual must prove to get a digital wallet is that they are human (probably by solving a captcha). Later, when using a wallet to set up an online relationship with a service provider, it’s the service provider which […]