Tag: e-Estonia

What should a 21st century country be like? First and foremost, digitalized. It was this thought that guided Estonia many years ago, when mechanisms were implemented to develop the country’s Internet sphere. The introduction of electronic identification in 2002 was a bold and innovative step. However, it is such decisions that today Estonia is the world leader in e-government services.

What is X-Road in Estonia? 

So what is “x-road” in Estonia? It is an infrastructure for secure data exchange for Estonian residents, businesses and public institutions. The system was designed in such a way that, with maximum efficiency and the highest standards of protection of stored data, the project costs were kept reasonable. The built system is therefore based on blockchain technology and data decentralization. This keeps the cost of infrastructure and its operation to a minimum.

What does e-Estonia mean? 

So what does e-Estonia mean in practice? A number of possibilities for its users! Examples of services include e-Ticket, e-School, e-Tax Board and one of the most interesting ideas – e-Voting. With its help, Estonians can participate in elections online. The services provided mean receiving prescriptions from a doctor electronically, digitally signing documents (along with the ability to encrypt them for a specific user). The systems used make attempts at fraud or unauthorized use of data detectable in an instant.

One of the more interesting systems is the yet-to-be-implemented artificial intelligence for adjudication in courts. It is to be used in lower-level cases. The computer will issue a verdict based on a prior analysis of the file. Studies have shown that this will benefit the efficiency of the courts. The verdict will be appealable to a traditional court.

Estonian data embassy

It is interesting to note that an Estonian data embassy was opened some time ago. It is located on Luxembourg territory and its task is to secure state resources in case Estonia loses territory or other situations that would lead to the destruction or immobilization of systems located directly in the country.

And how does E-Estonia work in practice? Perfectly! The capabilities offered by the system are widely used by Estonian residents – if only in the way that practically one in three Estonians votes online. The system has also secured Estonia’s status as Europe’s digital capital, while generating savings of 2% of GDP. In addition, the country annually climbs the rankings for ease of doing business.