Electronic IDs come with a number of challenges because their premise is that the individual can identify himself with them without assistance.
This has the consequence that not everyone can apply for an electronic identity card.
Examples include individuals who cannot choose their own secret number, e.g. due to disabilities or children who simply do not have the maturity to use them. Another example of a challenge is Icelanders living abroad who have to come to the country to apply for an electronic identity card. And yet another example is the elderly who do not have the means to integrate themselves into the digital world, who still need to access digital services.
If individuals cannot identify themselves electronically, there needs to be a way for others to perform actions on their behalf in a secure and traceable manner. Therefore, Digital Iceland has worked to create an agency system where parties who have the right to do so can log in and handle cases on behalf of others in a traceable manner.