Voters in Switzerland are scheduled to vote on Sunday regarding the introduction of electronic identity cards. This proposal has received approval from both houses of parliament, and the Swiss government is advocating for a “yes” vote. This marks the second nationwide referendum on the subject, following a rejection of the concept in 2021. Concerns around data protection and the involvement of private companies in managing the system were significant factors in that earlier vote.
The updated proposal suggests that the system will be maintained entirely in public hands, with data stored on users’ smartphones rather than in centralized databases. It will also be optional for citizens, who may continue to use the traditional national identity card that has been in place for many years.
To address privacy concerns, a designated authority will have limited access to specific information, such as proof of age or nationality, only for the details required. Proponents believe that the system could simplify various administrative processes, enabling tasks like obtaining a telephone contract or verifying age for purchases to be conducted more efficiently online.
However, Switzerland traditionally prioritizes the protection of personal privacy, highlighted by historical banking secrecy laws and restrictions on public data collection. Opponents of the electronic ID system have expressed fears that it could compromise individual privacy. They gathered signatures to initiate another referendum, raising concerns about potential misuse of data for tracking or marketing purposes.
Recent opinion polls indicate a potential shift in public sentiment, as voters may be more open to the electronic ID following their experiences with the government’s COVID identification system. This previous system was implemented during the pandemic to verify vaccination status, and initial doubts seemed to ease as it allowed citizens to return to regular activities. As many Swiss residents are also active smartphone users and participants in social media, some believe the implications of occasional data checks by Swiss authorities might not significantly affect their privacy compared to existing practices by tech companies.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20e4z2z8n7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss