Swiss vote on electronic identity cards for the second time

Voters in Switzerland go to the polls on Sunday to decide on the introduction of electronic identity cards.

The plan has already been approved by the two chambers of the Parliament, and the Swiss government recommends a vote yes.

It is the second national ballot on the issue after the voters rejected the idea in 2021 in the midst of concerns concerning data protection, and the discomfort that the proposed system would be widely managed by private companies.

As part of the revised proposal, the new system would remain entirely between public, data on electronic IDs would be stored on user smartphones rather than in the center, and it would be optional.

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

To facilitate confidentiality problems, a particular authority that seeks information – proof of age or nationality for example – can only verify these specific details.

The supporters say that the system will make everyone’s life easier, allowing all kinds of bureaucratic procedures – to obtain a telephone contract to prove that you are old enough to buy a bottle of wine – to occur quickly online.

But Switzerland has a long tradition to protect the privacy of its citizens. The laws on banking secrecy, now very diluted, have been designed to protect the personal finances of an individual from the prying eyes of the state.

For years, Google Street View has been controversial in Switzerland, and even today, following a decision by the Swiss Federal Court, images taken near schools, women’s shelters, hospitals or prisons must be automatically blurred before going online.

There are also much fewer video surveillance cameras in Switzerland than in many of its European neighbors.

Opponents of electronic identity cards, who have gathered enough signatures to force another referendum on the issue, argue that this measure could also undermine individual privacy.

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

The latest opinion polls, however, show that voters can be ready to give an electronic ID a chance.

They have already had an experience of the Covid ID of the government, which was used during the pandemic to show the status of vaccination and was compulsory to enter restaurants and bars.

Initial skepticism has turned into satisfaction, when people realized that it allowed them, finally, to go out and again.

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

Technology giants are already harvesting their tastes and aversions, make many voters, so believe that allowing the Swiss authorities to check some details from time to time cannot really make a big difference.