Ammon News -

Personal digital IDs will be activated in the next few days allowing citizens to remotely conduct business at government agencies and elsewhere using their smart gadgets and e-government platforms, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Ahmad Hanandeh revealed on Tuesday.

He told Petra that the activation of the digital ID is a one-off process that requires a visit to the Civil Status and Passports Department (CSPD), stressing that the digital ID is a "cornerstone" in an increasingly digitized world.

Hanandeh noted that the ministry is wrapping up preparations for the activation process to get underway, revealing that the ministry is currently in talks with partners, including banks and telecom service providers, to offer the activation service alongside the CSPD.

The minister explained that the rollout of the digital ID will be gradual, meaning that the activation will be required on an as-needed basis. Citing examples, Hanandeh indicated that recipients of National Aid Fund services will have to activate their digital IDs if the service provider (the Fund in this case) so requires. The same applies to passport and physical ID applicants.

Once the digital ID is activated, he added, the ID holder will have their electronic signature activated for all business and service dealings that allow for the use of the e-signature.

However, Hanandeh said some services and dealings, including real estate transactions and public notary services, do not allow for the use of neither the digital ID nor the digital signature given the fact that they entail financial and legal implications.

Furthermore, the minister revealed that an electronically-certified document service will also be launched, saying that a service recipient will have access to their ID, driving license, passport among other documentation, using their account on the e-government platform "Sanad".