Even more trust on eBay thanks to eID and Certipost

Aalst, Brussels, 26 February 2008
Aalst, Brussels - From this week on, Belgian eBay users can register on eBay.be with their electronic identify card (eID). A world first for eBay. New and existing users who register with their eID will be able to provide greater proof of identity thus increasing trust between buyers and sellers. For the online identification and validation of the eID, eBay turned to Certipost, part of De Post/La Poste, specialised in the secure exchange of electronic data.

Seven million Belgians currently have an electronic identity card, also known as eID card. That is 87.5% of the total eight million cards to be issued. Next year every Belgian is expected to have an eID.
Now, users can also use that card to register on eBay.be. In addition to the current options of registering via a credit card, a fixed telephone or by post, the eID will now be added as a standard registration option on eBay.be. Both existing and new eBay users can (re)register for free on eBay.be with their eID. The Belgian eBay site is the first eBay site to integrate eID identification and verification. Soon, that option will also be introduced on the Spanish eBay site and studies will be conducted as to the feasibility of applying the system to other eBay websites.

Verification of identity in a few seconds
Registering on eBay.be with the eID card is very easy: users simply surf to eBay.be and insert the eID in their computer's built-in or externally connected card reader. The user is then openly forwarded to the Certipost application where identification and verification takes place automatically. Certipost checks in real time who the person in question is and that the eID is not expired or invalid. After scanning and checking the eID, the user receives an 'ID Verified' label alongside his/her username. Registration is required only once, after that, users only need to log in with their chosen username and password.

Extra trust
In addition to eBay's existing feedback system, which allows buyers, for instance, to determine whether a seller has a good reputation, the eID label provides an extra degree of trust. "We are continuously working to optimise the user experience on eBay," says Peter Grypdonck, Managing Director of eBay. "We called on eID and Certipost precisely because we attach so much importance to security and trust on our platform. The integration of the eID on our platform is a very important evolution which can only increase the level of trust between our users and, ultimately, the number of transactions on our site."

eID integration thanks to Certipost
Certipost was involved with the development and issue of the Belgian eID from the very beginning, together with Fedict, the federal government department for information and communication technology, and the National Registry Office. Certipost supplies the two digital certificates on the eID card. The company is recognised and checked by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs as a supplier of certificates. In recent years, Certipost has acquired extensive expertise and experience in the field of eID applications and projects.
"As with any commercial transaction, there must be a degree of trust between both parties," says Stijn Vander Plaetse, CEO of Certipost. "This initiative may inspire other organisations to integrate the eID card in their websites. Thanks to Certipost, organisations can, with a minimum of effort, read the data contained on the eID, activate authentication with the aid of the eID and use electronic signatures on their website. That way, they can avoid potential acts of fraud in relation to electronic trade and auctions. Doing business is increasingly an electronic activity. Digitisation results in simplified and cost-effective administration, but there are some risks. We take away those risks and enable our clients to enjoy the benefits to the full."

About Certipost - "We facilitate and certify e-communications"
Certipost enables, automates and secures electronic billing and electronic document exchange via the Internet.

Certipost provides solutions for the delivery of invoices and electronic documents to the right person, company or organisation. These solutions allow companies to limit their costs, improve their customer service, as well as the environment and increase their efficiency. Certipost's CertiONE platform is an open platform that allows large numbers of users and companies to be connected very quickly and electronically exchange business documents. It can be integrated in any accounting software package or ERP system.

Certipost also provides electronic identification services for a secure usage of online applications. In Belgium, Certipost issues the electronic identity card (eID), comprising two certificates, to all citizens. This identity card gives access to various secured access management applications such as registered mail.

Certipost was established in 2002 in Belgium and is part of De Post/La Poste. It hosts more than 30,000 companies and 400,000 private individuals on its platform in Europe. The company is based in Aalst and has offices in the Netherlands and France. Stijn Vander Plaetse is Certipost's CEO.

For more information go to http://www.certipost.be
Also see http://www.quadrantcommunications.be/downloads/certipost

Certipost
Katrien Busschaert, Head of Marketing
Ninovesteenweg 196, B-9320 Erembodegem (Aalst)
T: +32 (0)53 601 134
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eBay
Peter Burin, PR Manager
T: +32 (0)473 531 097
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Contact for journalists:
Quadrant Communications
Bart Inslegers
Franklin Rooseveltlaan 348, B-9000 Gent
T: +32 (0)9 265 0258
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