EU launches digital identity wallet driven by pandemic, digital push

People use their smartphones to rent an electric scooter near St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy, September 18, 2020. Picture taken September 18, 2020. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/Files

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission announced plans on Thursday for a digital identity wallet to allow Europeans to access public and private services via their mobile phone as the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for user-friendly online services.

The move also seeks to counter privacy and data protection concerns related to digital wallets offered by Apple, Alphabet unit Google, Thales and financial institutions.