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Denmark's Digital ID App AltID Surpasses 230,000 Downloads in Three Weeks
🇩🇰 Denmark /Technology

Denmark's Digital ID App AltID Surpasses 230,000 Downloads in Three Weeks

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Over 230,000 people have downloaded Denmark's new official app, AltID, in less than three weeks.
  • The app allows users to digitally prove their age and identity, with plans to add more official documents like health cards and driver's licenses.
  • AltID is particularly useful for young people needing age verification without sharing personal data like CPR numbers.

Denmark's new digital identification app, AltID, has seen a rapid uptake, with over 230,000 downloads in under three weeks since its June 3 launch. The app, developed by the Agency for Digitisation, serves as the country's first official mobile platform for identification and proof of various credentials.

We are now working on adding the health card to the app. We are likely talking about months, not years.

— Joachim Møller AlstrupOffice chief at the Agency for Digitisation's eID and apps department, discussing future additions to the AltID app.

Initially, AltID provides an age verification certificate and a general ID card. However, the agency has ambitious plans to expand its functionality. "We are now working on adding the health card to the app. We are likely talking about months, not years," said Joachim Møller Alstrup, office chief at the agency's eID and apps department. He added that a driver's license is also slated for future inclusion.

Beyond official documents, the agency is exploring other possibilities based on public suggestions. "We are in dialogue with several authorities about expanding the number of proofs in the app," Alstrup explained. Discussions include adding student IDs, fishing licenses, and even potential integration of criminal record certificates with the police. The agency is also considering educational documents like exam certificates.

We are in dialogue with several authorities about expanding the number of proofs in the app.

— Joachim Møller AlstrupOffice chief at the Agency for Digitisation's eID and apps department, detailing potential new features for the AltID app.

AltID is currently most beneficial for individuals under 18 who lack a driver's license, simplifying age verification for activities like entering clubs or purchasing age-restricted goods. The app allows users to present proof of age without revealing sensitive personal information such as their name, address, or CPR number. The agency emphasizes the app's privacy-protective design, stating they have minimal data on users, focusing only on download numbers rather than individual identities.

AltID is very privacy-protective, and therefore we know very little about the users. We know the number, but we do not log who people are or how old they are. That is completely deliberate.

— Joachim Møller AlstrupOffice chief at the Agency for Digitisation's eID and apps department, explaining the app's privacy features.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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