Data Protection and Security
Which data is saved on the citizen card?
The citizen card only stores the minimum amount of data necessary for you to identity yourself on the Internet:
- Your personal information (identity link)
such as your first name, last name, date of birth and sourcePIN (a strongly encrypted derivation of your number in the Central Register of Residents) - Your signature certificate
does not contain any further personal information other than your name (and, if desired, your date of birth and e-mail address) - If applicable, an electronic mandate that empowers you to act on behalf of another legal entity or natural person.
Health information and other data are not saved on the citizen card. However, some citizen cards may contain additional data. For example:
- Social insurance card e-card
contains data regarding your social insurance - Bank card
contains account information - Student identification card
contains data such as your student number
Citizen cards applications used in the citizen card environment are not able to read this additional data!
Who has access to the data on the citizen card?
There is not just a single definitive answer to this question. It depends on which card is being used as the citizen card. Inquire with the card provider about which data are protected and which can be freely accessed.
Under normal circumstances, the certificates for the signature can be accessed. They usually contain your first and last name, but not your date of birth (unless specifically requested) or your number in the Central Register of Residents. Since your name is usually printed on the front of the card, there is no additional information that can be read electronically than what is already visible on the card itself.
Card-specific data is almost always protected from unauthorised access by a PIN number.
When you get in touch with a public authority, they are able to read the data from your identity link, i.e. your name and date of birth, and create the sector-specific personal identifier (ssPIN). Identifying yourself in this way allows the public authority to offer additional services, because this data allows them to distinguish you from people who have the same name (for example, showing you the transactions you current have in progress).
What happens if the card gets lost?
If you have lost your card, you need to report it to the card provider (for example, directly at your bank, or on the e-card service line: 05 01 24 33 11). They will lock your card and inform you about any further steps that need to be taken.
In accordance with the Signature Law, you are required to revoke the certificate for your qualified signature. Information about revoking a certificate is available from the certification service provider, for example, A-Trust revocation service.
Even a finder who is dishonest will not be able to use your card because it is protected by a PIN code. For this reason, it is important never to store your citizen card and the PIN code together in the same place. You should not share your PIN code with anyone else.
Depending on which card is used as the citizen card, your replacement card will be sent to you automatically. You will need to activate it as your citizen card again.