New EU Mechanism Detects Fake Covid Certificates

Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis

The European Commission on Monday adopted a mechanism to revoke fraudulent or erroneous EU Digital COVID Certificates.

Under the measure, once a certificate is revoked in one Member State, it will also show as invalid in other Member States, an announcement by the Commission said.

Since the EU Digital COVID Certificate system started in July 2021, more than 1.7 billion certificates have been issued.

According to the Commission, EU certificates, due to their successful role in helping to lift travel restrictions, have sometimes become a target for fraudsters but the overall number of fraudulently or mistakenly issued certificates remains very low.

“When fraud or mistakes are detected, it is important that the concerned certificates can be revoked,” the Commission said.

Photo source: European Commission / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis

While several Member States have already deployed revocation systems at national level, the new system at EU level will allow the secure and efficient revocation cross-border via the EU Gateway.

“This improvement should further strengthen the trust and confidence in the EU Digital COVID Certificate system,” the Commission concluded.