What is a .BDOC file?
A .BDOC file is a special kind of computer file used mainly in Estonia and Finland. It's like a secure package for documents that have been digitally signed, which means someone has used a digital version of their signature to show they agree with the document. This is often done by government workers to approve official papers. The .BDOC file is made using a program called qDigiDoc, which is a tool that helps people use their government ID cards to sign documents electronically.
Think of a .BDOC file as a zip folder (like the ones used to make files smaller and keep related files together) that contains the original document, the digital signatures from the people who have signed it, and some extra information that checks everything is correct. To open a .BDOC file, you would use the qDigiDoc program. This software is special because it's open source, meaning anyone can use it for free, and it's made to work with the digital ID systems in Estonia and Finland.
The idea of .BDOC files comes from a bigger set of rules and standards for digital signatures that are recognized across Europe, made by a group called ETSI. The government of Estonia, through an organization called Riigi Infosüsteemi Amet (RIA) or the Information System Authority of Estonia, developed the .BDOC format. It's part of a family of digital document formats that include .CDOC and .DDOC, with .BDOC being the newer version that came after .DDOC.
Since it was first introduced in 2009, the .BDOC format has gone through updates to make it better, with a significant update in 2014.
Inside a .BDOC file, you'll find the document that was signed, along with some technical files that store the signatures and make sure everything is secure and verified.
If you need to sign documents digitally or check a document signed this way, you can download the qDigiDoc software for free and use it with an Estonian or Finnish ID card. This makes it easier to handle official paperwork without needing to print out and sign physical documents.
Verification
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