Too many difficulties to maintain a telematic relationship with the administration

The associations of internauts assure that the renovation of the digital signature can only be done with obsolete and insecure browsers

          Many of the administrative procedures that any citizen, company or association must do with the Public Administration can only be done via telematics. For example, anyone who wants to apply for some of the public employment offers has to do it through the internet. Or any paperwork with the Tax Agency can also be done through the network. For this, it is necessary to have an electronic signature. However, as reported by the Association of Internet Users (AUI) and the Association of Internet Users (AI), the renewal of this digital signature is a path full of obstacles.

"The problem is simple, but important," explains Víctor Domingo, president of AUI. «When you have to renew the digital certificate you are asked for some requirements, but you can not do it if it is not with certain browsers. The problem is that they are asking for old versions of Explorer and Firefox, "he explains. "We always ask that the user has updated their browser to avoid security problems, such as 'malware' and 'bugs' (computer errors). If to renew the digital certificate you have to uninstall your current browser or add one that is not up to date, we are putting obstacles and difficulties also to that telematic relationship with the administration », Domingo says.

                  The two organizations filed a complaint with the Ministry of Finance due to the impossibility of renewing or requesting certificates from the National Currency and Stamp Factory (FNMT) over the Internet with current browsers. Having received no response, both organizations have requested protection from the Ombudsman.

"It is irresponsible to do these procedures with outdated browsers. It's like if I watch TV I was asked for a VHS, "says Domingo. And he puts another example. "To ask for a CIF, you have to do it electronically, but it's very complicated to request if I can not renew my digital signature." In addition, both associations have requested a meeting to the telecommunications council (of which they form part) so that "there is intercession from the Ministry of the Digital Agenda". They also hope that the Ombudsman will "take action on the matter so that everything can be done telematically".

Domingo does not believe that the fact that digital signatures can only be renewed with older browsers is due to a technical issue. "Perhaps what they want are intermediaries with the administration and they may be afraid of electronic voting. The relationship with the Treasury should be easier and more fluid, but it is full of complications. "

And the electronic DNI?
The complaint presented by the associations of Internet users refers to digital signatures. Something that does not affect, in theory, the electronic DNI. But, as the president of AUI explains, «the DNI would have to serve for this digital relationship with the administration, but the truth is that nobody uses it electronically. And it is not used because it is very complicated to do it ».

It should also be remembered that last November, in addition, the electronic signature of the DNI had to be deactivated due to a security problem. According to data from the 2014 eSpaña Report (the most recent that the Orange Foundation has), despite the fact that the electronic DNI was born in 2006, the truth is that only 0.02% of the procedures that citizens carry out with the administration are carried out out with the digital version of the national identity document.