eeID - Frequenty Asked Questions

• Where and how long is the data about the identification saved?

Estonian Internet Foundation as the eeID service provider logs and saves the data indefinitely. However, how long our partner using the eeID to identify and authenticate their users saves the data, depends on the local legislation and service agreements of that specific service.

• How are the Keys generated? Is there an Option to Export the Key to a Backup device?

Keys are generated using state-of-the-art cryptographic methods. However, there is currently no option to export the key to a backup device. We are working on secure solutions to enhance this capability in the future.

• Can eeID be used offline?

No, eeID requires an active internet connection to perform identity verification and authentication. The verification process, particularly with video identification, relies on online data exchange.

• Will EU Digital wallet be implemented in eeID?

Yes, we are actively working on integrating the support for EU Digital Wallet standard into the eeID service. Which wallets in particular will be supported will be known once the EIDAS2 implementing acts are accepted and the actual implementations will be made available.

• Which authentication methods are available through eeID service?

eeID supports a range of authentication methods that vary by country. If your country’s authentication methods are supported, you can use them for identification and login. If not, you can complete the identification process using video verification. After successful verification, a WebAuthn passkey will be generated and linked to your identity in eeID. 

This passkey can be used for future verifications or to log in to other services connected to eeID. We are open for suggestions and requests for the authentication methods to be added to the eeID platform, just please let us know about your needs at info@internet.ee.

• Is the eeID workflow also functional without a phone and browser-only settings?

Yes, you can use eeID also without a phone. Everything can also be done from your computer, even the video verification process (requires a camera). However, please note that there may be differences based on the country based identification solutions. For example, Estonia's Smart-ID and Mobile-ID are only phone based applications and therefore verification cannot be done without a phone (but there are other alternatives that do not require a phone).

• Can I use the verification for other verification requests? For example, if the registrant is verified we can use the verification status as well for other TLD verification directly at the registration or afterwards in case of receiving verification requests.

Yes, once a registrant is verified through eeID, that identity can be reused for other purposes, including TLD verifications. eeID provides flexible verification options that can be implemented in various processes and systems.

• How does eeID work for people without an identity card like refugees or children?

Although Veriff video identification supports more than 11,000 identity documents worldwide (see the full list here) from different countries and territories, the basis of it is the identification document. Therefore, eeID can be used by users, whether they are children or refugees, that have an identity document.

If you or your clients face the question of obtaining an identity document as a refugee, please learn more at the UN Refugee Agency.

• The eeID does not have an option for my country's national solutions - is eeID a right solution for my company?

If you do not find your national identification solutions in eeID, you can use our video verification solution. This enables to verify clients all over the world, is easy to use and convenient.

eeID and our team are happy to integrate other solutions to our platform - please let us know about your needs at info@internet.ee.

• How often do I need to do the identification process with the Veriff video identification solution?

The identification needs to be done once. However, keep in mind that the identification is valid for the duration of the document validity used for the initial identification. As soon as you receive a new document, a new identification needs to be done.  

• From a domain registrar point of view, if the identification process needs to be done just once, but the client uses different registrars, would it be necessary to verify again, or does the verification happen in the registry?

If both of the registrars are using the eeID solution, the identification needs to be done only once. However, if the registrars are using different solutions, the identification needs to be done separately.

• Verification is automatic - how reliable is it?

The Veriff video verification solution is automatic and 95% of the users get verified within the first try. It uses more than 1000 data points and in case of problems, uses additional manual checks made by verification specialists.

• Do I have to be a member of the .ee registry to request the service for my use cases?

No, eeID solution is available for everyone worldwide and it does not require you to be part of the .ee registrars. eeID now has more users outside of the .ee registrars list.

However, we do offer eeID for our registrars for free in transactions related to the .ee domain.

• Is it possible to verify organizations with eeID?

No, it is not possible due to the fact that it lacks the capability and necessary access to verify the persons authorisation to represent any organization. If this is needed, it has to be done by the eeID clients as they have the best knowhow and access to the local data sources for this kind of verification.  

• Does eeID help to avoid the abuse?

Yes, and .ee registry is a good example of this. We have been identifying our registrants for 15 years and it is the main way we tackle the problem. .ee is one of the safest domain zones in the world and we believe that the strong identification of registrants has played a huge part in it. We believe that the same applies to other digital services and this is one of the reasons we have decided to open the eeID solution for use to everyone interested.