The number of citizens holding a digital signature is a fundamental element because, without digital authentication, we cannot talk about an inclusive and total digital transformation of the Republic of Moldova. The latest data show that 266,000 digital signature certificates were there in Moldova at the end of 2023, which is a major increase compared to 2022, Victor Guzun, digitization policy expert at the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), stated during a public discussion on digital identity and the use of the digital signature in Moldova, IPN reports.

According to the expert, the Parliament in September 2023 adopted the National Strategy for the Digital Transformation of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030, which clearly states that 75% of the public services in Moldova must be digitized by the end of 2024 and all of them must be digitized by 2030. Without the digital signature, this goal is not achievable. Currently, over 700 services are available on the public services platform and almost 300 of them are digital.

In Moldova there are three types of digital signature. These are the mobile signature based on the token issued by the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Service and the other intermediary institutions, the e-mobile signature issued by two mobile network operators and the digital signature, which is the identity card issued by the Public Services Agency of Moldova. Citizens prefer the e-mobile certificate and use token-based digital signatures less.

Andrei Prisăcar, director of the e-Governance Agency, said that around 10% of the population has a digital signature. Some people even have two or more such signatures. The number of holders of a digital signature doesn’t increases naturally, but as a result of the imposition of conditions by particular public institutions, such as the State Tax Service. The digital services are the most popular one, but not everyone has a digital signature and problems in accessing these services are thus encountered.

Alexandru Corețski, director of the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Service, noted that it is not easy to operate or obtain technologies convenient for citizens. All standards are analyzed in order not to subject the citizen to unjustified risks. There is a great desire to digitize technologies and the institution is looking for solutions to make them more diverse in order to give the citizens the opportunity to choose what to adopt. A project will be launched soon to introduce by a digital signature registrar at all the offices of the Public Services Agency.

Sergiu Postică, Strategy, Business Development and Regulation director at a mobile phone operator, said that over 90% of the internal flows in the relations with employee are digitally signed. Likewise, over 90% of all correspondence and contracts with customers are digital. The mobile signature has enabled a digital document circuit, which a few years ago was unimaginable.