Digital Identity Verification Tensions Escalate in Bosnia and Herzegovina

A bitter dispute has erupted between the Agency for Identification Documents, Registers, and Data Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IDDEEA) and the Ministry of the Interior of Republika Srpska (MUP RS) over allegations that IDDEEA abused its authority to provide unauthorized identity services.

The Dispute: A Clash of Jurisdiction

According to MUP RS, IDDEEA has no right to receive requests from citizens in person, sparking a row over jurisdiction and whether the agency is a legitimate certification authority. However, IDDEEA insists it is operating within its rights as a registered certification authority with the Ministry of Communications and Transport, in line with EU directives and certified under the eIDAS regulation.

IDDEEA’s Plans for Digital Services

The dispute comes as IDDEEA pushes forward with plans to digitize services through biometric credentials, digital identity documents, wallets, and remote electronic signatures. The agency has already launched its application for issuing qualified remote electronic signatures, making it possible for citizens to sign documents electronically.

Security Concerns and Allegations

MUP RS claims that IDDEEA’s actions have compromised the security of citizens’ personal information, but IDDEEA denies these allegations, pointing out that the competent supervisory authority for implementing the Law on Electronic Signatures in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

European Union Digital Initiatives

The tensions between IDDEEA and MUP RS are further complicated by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), which provides access to a €7.5 billion fund to advance digital transformation. The country has set ambitious goals for digitizing its public services, but these efforts may be hindered by bureaucratic infighting.

Conclusion

IDDEEA has issued a statement reiterating its commitment to implementing the applicable legislation and enforcing it until further notice. However, the dispute between IDDEEA and MUP RS is likely to continue, with far-reaching implications for the country’s digital identity verification policies and its participation in EU digital initiatives.