Polish Ministry of Justice sees potential to integrate National Criminal Register with mObywatel app, following parliamentary inquiry.
Cooperation Necessary Between Ministries
A group of MPs first approached the Minister of Digital Affairs with questions about expanding the mObywatel app’s functionality. They noted that obtaining a certificate of no criminal record currently involves costs and procedural barriers, including often the need for personal appearance, which particularly affects citizens in smaller towns seeking employment, volunteering, or social activities.
The Minister of Digital Affairs assured he was open to developing mObywatel in this area but emphasized that cooperation with the Ministry of Justice is necessary. Krzysztof Gawkowski added that talks between the ministries have been initiated and their resumption is planned, with the initiative belonging to the Ministry of Justice.
Integration Plans
Deputy Minister of Justice Sławomir Pałka confirmed that his ministry sees the possibility of integrating the National Criminal Register’s IT system with the mObywatel app. However, he emphasized that first, it is necessary to implement eService KRK 2.0 and integrate it with the Court Registers Portal. This system will replace the current electronic National Criminal Register and will be more modern and functional, ensuring full electronic service for issuing KRK certificates.
“Only in the next step will the possible integration with mObywatel be possible,” explained Deputy Minister Pałka. He added that the solution being developed provides for using the app as one of the user authentication sources, similar to a trusted profile or qualified signature.
Assessment Requirements
Implementation of a service in the mObywatel app enabling “confirmation of one’s own lack of criminal record” should be preceded by a broad assessment of the practicality of this solution and its impact on the public sector, according to the response to the parliamentary inquiry.
Deputy Minister Pałka noted that such an assessment would enable a decision on possibly replicating some functionalities of eService KRK 2.0 in the mObywatel app. He warned that a potential extension would not meet all needs related to obtaining KRK information, as it would not include users with non-Polish citizenship, nor allow action through a proxy or legal representative.