Citizens can download a test version of electronic identity to familiarize themselves with this tool.
Keystone / Cyril Zingaro
Three years after rejecting a first version, the Swiss voted again, on September 28, on the introduction of a digital identity. Presented as a milestone in the digital transition by its supporters and supporters, it is criticized by its opponents for its guarantees deemed insufficient in terms of data protection.
In Switzerland, it happens that citizens are brought to vote several times on the same subject. This will again be the case with the vote on the E-ID.
In 2021, the people rejected a first law on electronic identity (E-ID), because they entrusted too much responsibilities to private providers. A new version, this time entirely public, is subject to the vote on September 28.
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What does the law provide?
The Federal Electronic Identity ActExternal link provides for the creation of an official, state and free means of digital identification. Today, to prove their identity, the Swiss from abroad or country must still use an identity card or a passport. The E-ID will allow them to do it online, without the need for a physical document.
Electronic identity will remain optional. Authorities or organizations that perform public tasks will have to accept it. However, it will always be possible to use a means of analog identification.
The legislation also details the measures taken to protect the private sphere of users and users. When an authority or a company checks an E-ID, it will not be authorized to consult or save other data than those they need. For example, a person wishing to prove their majority to buy alcohol will not transmit their date of birth, but only the confirmation that it is over 18 years old.
Any abuses may be reported to the Federal Justice Office, responsible for carrying out the necessary checks.
>> Review our Let’s Talk debate on the usefulness of electronic identity for the fifth Swiss:
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If a citizen wishes to obtain an e-ID, he or she will have to download an application, also called digital portfolio, to his smartphone. This will keep documents in digital form.
The person can then request their online e-ID from the Federal Police Office, scanning their identity document. Video verification will confirm its identity before the ID is delivered. It will also be possible to make the request on site, in a cantonal entry center or, for the Swiss from abroad, with the consular representation.
If the people decide in favor of the E-ID, they will be introduced as soon as possible in the third quarter of 2026. In the meantime, it is possible to test this new instrument by downloading the test versionExternal link of the application.
What differences is there with the previous E-ID law?
In the initial project, the E-ID had to be issued by a private company on behalf of the State. This model had aroused strong criticism. The authorities considered that this point had contributed to popular rejection and revised their copy.
The future E-ID will be exclusively issued by the Confederation. Data will also be saved decentralized. This means that personal information will not be stored in a central state database, but directly on the user’s smartphone. Everyone will thus keep control of their personal information, which will strengthen the security and protection of the private sphere.
Why should the people vote?
The two chambers of Parliament adopted the E-ID law at a large majority. However, the “E-ID NO law law” committed 55,683 valid signatures against the project, is enough to bring a referendum to succeed. The authorities had to organize a popular vote.
What are the arguments in favor of E-ID?
According to the authorities, the introduction of E-ID will save time and money. In his messageExternal linkthe Federal Council describes it as a means of “proving its identity in a simple, safe and fast way”. Many administrative procedures can be carried out online, such as the opening of a bank account or the conclusion of a telephone subscription.
The E-ID should also benefit the Swiss from abroad, who will more easily access the services of the federal administration. The organization of the Swiss from abroad (OSE) considers that E-ID would help facilitate the exercise of political rights of the fifth Swiss, by paving the way for the introduction of electronic vote.
The representatives of six parties (UDC, PLR, Center, PVL, PS and Vert-Es) already presented themselves in June before the media to defend the E-ID law.
Keystone / Anthony Anex
The Confederation also underlines that the E-ID will reliably identify the parts of electronic transactions. It considers that Internet security will thus be strengthened and that the risks of abuse can be reduced.
Finally, the project constitutes a key element of the country’s digital transformation, according to the government. The E-ID infrastructure will be made available to the cantonal and municipal authorities, as well as private sector players. It can also be used to store various documents, such as home certificates, registers, diplomas, tickets for events or membership cards.
What are the arguments against E-ID?
While recognizing the potential of digital transformation, the opponents of the E-ID law believe that it repeats the errors of the refused version in 2021.
The referendum committeeExternal link Mainly criticizes him for infringing the privacy of citizens. He points to the selected technology, which is, in their eyes, not yet ripe or sufficiently sure. For him, she does not protect enough against the growing number of cyber attacks.
Although the law prohibits the collection of superfluous data, its opponents believe that the risks of tracing and abuse remain real. They fear, for example, that the E-ID would allow companies to collect, link and analyze data to establish behavior profiles of citizens. These could then be used for advertising purposes.
The referendum committee gives the federal Chancellery the signatures collected against the E-ID law last April.
Keystone / Christian Beutler
The opponents also fear that the introduction of a digital identity does not open the way to a generalized surveillance system. They see risks for democratic and liberal order.
In addition, the referees fear that the establishment of an E -ID will open the way to an indirect obligation: certain services could become more difficult to access without this electronic identity, creating a form of digital discrimination.
Who is for, who is against?
All government parties support the E-ID law. An unusual alliance of six political parties (UDC, PLR, Center, PVL, PS and Green-Es) formed to support the project.
The referendum committee is made up of members of the Pirate Party, young UDC, UDF and movements opposed to COVVID measures, friends of the Constitution and Aufrecht Schweiz.
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Rely and checked by Balz Rigendinger