As society becomes increasingly digital, the need to navigate the digital world effectively also grows. For many international students coming to Sweden to study, this can present a series of challenges, particularly in accessing essential digital services like BankID, which is a necessity for utilizing many of the country’s digital solutions.
One company that has taken this challenge seriously is the student housing provider SBS Studentbostäder in the Nordics, which, together with the digital identity platform Truid, has developed a solution to reduce digital exclusion among exchange students.
TL;DR
- Digital Exclusion: International students in Sweden struggle to access essential digital services like BankID, hindering their integration.
- SBS Studentbostäder’s Solution: Partnering with Truid, SBS Studentbostäder implemented a secure digital student verification system to overcome these challenges.
- Benefits: The new system streamlines the process, eliminates the need for handling physical documents, reduces GDPR risks, and enhances efficiency, helping to reduce digital exclusion for international students in Sweden.
Digital exclusion in Sweden: A well-known issue
Digital exclusion is not a new phenomenon in Sweden, but it has become increasingly relevant as society continues to digitalize rapidly. According to reports from for example the Swedish Agency for Participation, large groups in society risk being left behind by the digital development, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and, as in this case, foreign nationals.
For international students in Sweden, digital exclusion presents a concrete challenge when trying to navigate a new country and adapt to a new culture. Initiatives like the one from SBS Studentbostäder and Truid are therefore crucial in ensuring that these students have a fair chance to integrate and thrive during their time in Sweden.
Challenges of accessing housing for international students
Samira Mchaiter, Head of Asset Management at SBS Studentbostäder in the Nordics AB, explains that it is often challenging for international students to access digital services in Sweden, particularly due to the requirements surrounding BankID. "It can be challenging for international students to access digital services in Sweden, especially because of BankID," says Mchaiter.
BankID is a fundamental part of Sweden's digital infrastructure, used for everything from logging into government websites to paying bills online. However, for international students without a Swedish personal identification number, obtaining BankID is difficult, if not impossible, effectively excluding them from many services that Swedish citizens take for granted.
This contributes to digital exclusion, making it harder for international students to fully integrate into Swedish society.
Manual work and weak security for student housing providers
Before SBS Studentbostäder in the Nordics began using Truid for ID verification, they faced several challenges when it comes to managing international students, particularly regarding the security and efficiency of their processes. "Before we started using TruID, we had several challenges with ID verification.
We had to request passport copies via email or ask applicants to upload them on our queue site. This was both time-consuming and insecure from a GDPR perspective," Mchaiter explains.
This approach not only added administrative burdens for the staff but also posed increased risks in handling sensitive information in a manner that might not fully comply with GDPR regulations. Handling passport copies via email presents a potential security risk, and storing these documents adds another layer of complexity.
A Solution to the problem: an international eID
Since SBS Studentbostäder began using Truid, these issues have largely been eliminated. "Since we implemented Truid, we have seen a significant improvement in the efficiency of our student housing application process. Truid's solution has simplified and secured ID verification, meaning we no longer need to handle passport copies directly," says Mchaiter.
With Truid’s solution, ID verification can be carried out quickly and securely online, without the need to handle physical copies of passports or other identification documents. This not only saves time for SBS Studentbostäder but also significantly improves the security of their processes.
Reduced risk of GDPR violations
One of the most tangible benefits of Truid is the reduced risk of GDPR violations. "A specific example of improvement is that we no longer need to handle and store passport copies, which reduces the risk of GDPR violations. This has not only improved our security but also increased our efficiency," Mchaiter explains.
By digitizing and securing the ID verification process, SBS Studentbostäder has not only protected itself from potential legal issues but also improved the experience for its customers - the international students. This improvement is part of a broader industry effort to reduce digital exclusion and create a more inclusive digital environment for everyone.
Conclusion
SBS Studentbostäder in the Nordics, together with Truid, has taken an important step in reducing digital exclusion for international students in Sweden. By implementing a secure and efficient solution for ID verification, they have not only improved their own processes but also contributed to a more inclusive digital environment for those who might otherwise be left out.
At a time when the importance of digitalization continues to grow, such efforts are crucial to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can participate in the digital society on equal terms.