MitID was launched in May 2010. Its main intent was to help identity theft victims recover their identity in the shortest time possible. MitID works by tracking cell phone location data and storing it in a central database. From 6 May to September 2020, MitID will be in a full open beta stage. This means only a select number of end users will have access to MitID at this time (estimated uptime of up to 14 days).
During the pilot phase, only a small number of pre-approved users will be able to log onto MitID. In this stage, it’s recommended to hide the real MitID log-in ID to prevent extra frustration and support from non-approved users. After the pilot phase, the company will move into the open beta stage, which allows anyone to download the latest version of MitID for use. In this latest release, new add-on services have been added:
- The third party application service that companies can use to integrate MitID into their websites. Users add the service code to their website and are taken to the login screen when the website user clicks on the “Add” or “Search” button. From there, any cell phone number can be tracked from the comfort of their homes. The basic service, broker pilot, is free.
- The second add-on service that companies will be able to integrate into their websites after the pilot phase ends. This service, called Customer Manager, takes the existing data from the broker’s database and creates a custom database for end-user interaction. This includes detailed information about the cell phone’s connection status, call history, purchased items, etc. The third party application will be available for subscription by October 2021.
- MitID’s personal branding tool. When a person visits your site using the Google search, he is still not given the option to sign up or clear their cookies. By integrating MitID with your business’ sign up process, you can offer your visitors the ability to sign up or clear their cookies right on the website. As part of the sign up process, a potential customer will be asked for his personal email address, which is already saved in the database of your service provider.
- The third add-on service that companies can use in the pilot phase is the MitID app. Once downloaded, users will get access to all of the functionality that is provided by the standard client: voice calling, text and picture messaging, and the ability to access text and picture messaging services. There will also be the ability to track the call history and generate reports. Users will also be able to get access to their saved contacts as well as manage their secure online accounts from within the app.
Once a user signs up and clears their cookies, they will gain the ability to access the MitID’s secured account management page. Here they can create and edit passwords, change their contact list, manage permissions, change PIN numbers, and so much more. This is where the real value of the MitID infrastructure emerges. The platform is designed to work seamlessly with the client and any third-party application that you choose to integrate into it. As we discussed before, in the future these additional services will allow for enhanced user experience and authentication, therefore making the entire process that much easier for end users.
The future for MitID
We believe that the next few years will see greater implementation of the MitID platform by more organizations. This will lead to further developments of the self-service solutions and other areas. Given the recent advancements in biometrics and other forms of smart card, such as fingerprints, it appears that there is no turning back. However, organizations must still find a way to enhance the experience for end users and clients. Even with the implementation of better biometrics and smart cards, the future for MitID looks strong.
