Estonia cancels security certificates of 11,100 electronic ID-cards

Photo: Arvo Meeks / LEPM

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board on Friday revoked the security certificates of roughly 11,100 electronic ID-cards with a security flaw, which will be replaced to their owners under warranty if more than three months is left until the card's expiration date.

In total 3,300 replacement ID-cards had been manufactured under warranty and dispatched to offices of the Police and Border Guard Board by Friday. Holders of the affected cards who have not yet received a new card can use Mobile ID or Digital ID for electronic authentication, spokespeople for the Police and Border Guard Board said.

Cardholders who do not use their ID-card for electronic authentication need not worry, as the cards with the security flaw can be used as travel documents, loyal customer cards and for buying medicines with an e-prescription until their expiration date.

The cards with the security flaw are electronic ID-cards issued between 2011 and Oct. 16, 2014, and residence permit cards issued between 2011 and Dec. 17, 2014, which were updated between July 2012 and July 2017.

The Police and Border Guard Board has filed a claim against the manufacturer of the ID-card for violation of security requirements. The manufacturer has denied any breach.