Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, speaking on ERT, analyzed the significant changes introduced by his ministry’s applications, focusing on reducing bureaucracy and simplifying procedures for citizens. Special emphasis was placed on abolishing the mandatory submission of photocopies to public services, as identification can now be done via the gov.gr wallet.

“It doesn’t make sense to keep using photocopies when electronic identification is available,” he stated on the program Connections. According to the minister, the Data Protection Authority has already pointed out that ID cards contain a large amount of sensitive personal data, and their circulation should be limited—an observation that led to this decision.

New Applications to Improve Daily Life

One of the new digital solutions set to be launched in March is the MyStreet application, which aims to improve public space management. Through the app, citizens will be able to check whether tables and chairs placed in pedestrian areas and squares are occupying space legally and report violations.

“Municipalities don’t have the capacity to monitor every corner of the city. MyStreet will allow citizens to actively participate in ensuring regulations are followed,” Papastergiou explained, citing the successful MyCoast app used last year for beach monitoring.

When asked about a possible application for reporting illegally parked vehicles blocking wheelchair ramps or emergency lanes, the minister responded that while such an initiative is feasible, enforcement remains the responsibility of the Hellenic Police and the Municipal Police. He also mentioned that the issue of electric scooters being abandoned haphazardly in cities could be addressed by introducing a rule where the charging process stops only when they are parked in designated spots.

The Personal Number in New ID Cards

The minister also discussed the introduction of the Personal Number (PN) on new ID cards, following the positive recommendation from the Data Protection Authority. He explained that this number will eliminate issues caused by discrepancies in citizens’ personal information across different registries.

“The Personal Number has existed for years, but now it will also be printed on the new ID cards,” Papastergiou noted, clarifying that the relevant bill is expected to be submitted to Parliament in March.

Finally, he reassured that the existence of the Personal Number does not pose risks of misuse, as any utilization of it requires further verification and authentication.

The new initiatives of the Ministry of Digital Governance aim to improve citizens’ daily lives, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance transparency and efficiency in public services.