Swiss Vote on Second Attempt to Introduce Electronic Identity Cards

Swiss Vote on Second Attempt to Introduce Electronic Identity Cards

 

Voters in Switzerland are heading to the polls on Sunday to decide for the second time whether to approve the introduction of electronic identity cards (e-ID). The first proposal was rejected in 2021 over privacy and data protection concerns.

 

Key Features of the Revised Proposal

 

The new system has been revised to address the widespread privacy fears that led to the rejection of the first proposal:

1. Public Control: The system is now entirely in public hands, shifting control away from private companies.
2. Data Decentralization: Data on the e-IDs will be stored on users’ smartphones rather than in a centralized government database.
3. Optional Use: The e-ID would be entirely optional; citizens can continue using their traditional physical national identity cards.
4. Limited Access: To ease privacy concerns, any authority seeking information—such as proof of age or nationality—will only be able to check for those specific, limited details.

 

Arguments for and Against the E-ID

 

Supporters, including the Swiss government and Parliament, argue the system will modernize the country and make life much easier for everyone. It would allow bureaucratic procedures—from getting a telephone contract to proving age for alcohol purchase—to be completed quickly and easily online.

Opponents, who gathered enough signatures to force this second referendum, argue that the measure could still undermine individual privacy, which Switzerland has a long tradition of protecting (as seen with its stringent laws on banking secrecy and practices for services like Google Street View). They also fear that despite the new restrictions, the data could still be used to track people or for marketing purposes.

 

Current Outlook

 

Despite the strong opposition, the latest opinion polls suggest that voters may be ready to give electronic IDs a chance this time. This willingness is partly due to the successful experience with the government’s COVID ID, which was mandatory to enter restaurants and bars during the pandemic, and which turned initial public skepticism into satisfaction.

Many voters also realize that since they already use smartphones and social media, the major tech giants are already harvesting their personal data, making the limited checks by Swiss authorities seem like a small trade-off.

The vote comes as the UK government also announced plans this week to introduce its own digital ID.

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