Digital Identity Card: 1 Mobile App, 1 ID

The introduction of the Mobile ID marks a significant milestone in Mauritius, as citizens can now access their digital identity cards securely through their smartphones. Minister of Technology, Communication, and Innovation, Deepak Balgobin, reassured the public regarding data security and privacy during the official launch on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the New Government Centre in Port-Louis.

Mauritian citizens can now download the Mobile Wallet Application (MWA) on their smartphones.

This application functions as a digital wallet, providing convenient access to personal identification information.

It is available for download on the Google Play Store for Android devices, as well as the Apple App Store for iPhones, with plans for it to be made available on Huawei’s App Gallery soon.

To use the Mobile ID, individuals must have an account on the Maupass online service.

The Mobile ID contains the same information as a traditional identity card and will be updated automatically whenever changes occur, such as a legal name change.

Importantly, all holders of an identity card are eligible for the Mobile ID, without requiring the latest version, MNIC 3.0.

The Mobile ID is not mandatory, and public organizations and businesses will have access to a separate application for identity verification.

When an organization or business attempts to verify a citizen’s identity using the Mobile ID, the citizen will receive a notification on their smartphone, allowing them to choose whether or not to approve the verification request.

Additionally, the Mobile ID enables users to sign documents digitally.

Minister Balgobin emphasized the strong security measures in place for the Mobile ID, including two verification systems and dual authentication to prevent identity theft.

Each individual can have only one Mobile ID per phone, and each digital identity card can be downloaded on only one device.

The system adheres to the Data Protection Act and international data protection standards, with Minister Balgobin noting that an independent security audit has been conducted, which will be repeated every three years.

Alongside the MWA application, an online portal known as MNIC Portal will facilitate requests for new identity cards and updates to existing information.

Self-service kiosks for information updates will also be installed at identity card centers.

However, Minister Balgobin indicated that the Mobile ID is unlikely to be operational in time for the upcoming elections, as a feasibility study is required.

When asked about future elections, he stated, “I cannot say for certain.”

The development of the Mobile ID was a collaborative effort between Thales, a multinational corporation, and local firm Harel Mallac Technologies.

The combined cost for the MNIC 3.0 and Mobile ID systems is estimated at Rs 375 million, a substantial decrease compared to the Rs 1.1 billion spent on the MNIC 2.0, as pointed out by Minister Balgobin, who seized the moment to criticize the previous Labour government for its spending.

Source: Defi Media