Swiss voting of electronic identity cards for the second time

Switzerland voters go to the ballot box on Sunday to decide on the introduction of electronic identity cards.

The plan has already been approved by both parliament’s palaces, and the Switzerland government recommends a vote.

This is the second national vote on the matter after voters rejected the idea in 2021 against the background of data protection and concern that the proposed system would be managed to a large extent by private companies.

According to the revised proposal, the new system will remain entirely in public hands, data from electronic identifiers will be stored on the smartphones of users, not central and will be optional.

Citizens can still choose to rely on the national identity card, which has been standard in Switzerland for decades.

To facilitate confidentiality concerns, a specific body seeking information – evidence of age or nationality, for example, will only be able to check for these specific details.

Proponents say that the system will make life much easier than all, allowing any bureaucratic procedures – from receiving a telephone contract to proving that you are adult enough to buy a bottle of wine – to happen quickly online.

But Switzerland has a long tradition of protecting the privacy of its citizens. Bank secrecy laws, which are already very diluted, are intended to protect the individual’s personal finances from the curious eyes of the state.

For years, Google Street View has been controversial in Switzerland, and even today, after a Federal Court of Federal Court, images taken near schools, refugees, hospitals or prisons must be automatically blurred before they go online.

In Switzerland, there are much less CCTV cameras than in many of its European neighbors.

Opponents of electronic identity cards, which have collected enough signatures to force another referendum on the subject, claim that this measure can undermine individual confidentiality.

They also fear that despite the new restrictions on how the data is collected and stored, it can still be used to track people and for marketing purposes.

However, recent public opinion studies show that voters may be ready to give an electronic ID this time.

They have already had experience in Covid’s government ID, which was used during the pandemic to show vaccination status and is obliged to enter restaurants and bars.

Initial skepticism focused on satisfaction when people realized that it allows them to finally go out and get out again.

As for concerns about personal data marketing, most Swiss have smartphones and are avid users of social media.

Technical giants are already collecting their likes and dislikes, many voters are aware, so believe that allowing the Swiss authorities to check a few details from time to time, it really can’t make a big change.