Barcelona leads the way in digital identification through mobile phone

Barcelona (ACN).- Barcelona’s City Council has launched idBCN, a mobile application that allows citizens to make themselves identified through their cell phone. This new digital identification system is a world pioneer in this field and allows citizens to access all kinds of paperwork and online services in a legal and safe technological framework. The initiative has been developed by the City Council’s Department for Urban Habitat (‘Hàbitat Urbà’) and the Municipal Institute of Information Technology. It follows a series of actions promoting Barcelona’s current status as the Mobile World Capital, since the city hosts the main international event of the mobile industry until at least 2018. In addition, it also stresses the city’s commitment to becoming a leader in the world of ‘smart cities’ and the new technology and mobility sector. This week Barcelona is hosting the Smart City Expo as well as the Eletric Vehicle Symposyum and Expo, the world's main international event in this field.

This secure personal identification system has a great growth potential, and in future years, it will enable citizens to make all kinds of transactions with public authorities, companies or private organisations. It is based on a digital identity register that associates each citizen wishing to have access to this kind of digital certification to his or her mobile phone number. Anyone who has a ‘smartphone’ with an Internet access will be able to make requests and use their digital idBCN identity through an application available both for iPhone and Android users.

The fact mobile phones provide an easy and immediate access to the internet from everywhere, will allow many more users to access authenticated online services, therefore enabling to overcome the digital divide. The system can be used to safely access websites and services habitually provided through other channels such as by telephone or even in person.

Barcelona wishes to become a leader in the sector of new technologies and mobility

The Catalan capital is the very first city to implement such a system for its citizens. Barcelona wishes to become a world leader in the strategic new technologies and mobility sector in order to encourage economic progress and job creation, promote the industry and generate wealth.