Following the referendum against the e-ID Act, the Alliance for the e-ID is campaigning for the Swiss population to receive a secure, state-issued digital identity card (e-ID). This will allow anyone who wishes to do so to identify themselves digitally in the future, securely and easily.
“The new e-ID is a decisive step forward for digital Switzerland and its economy. It strengthens trust in online interactions, offers citizens more convenience when dealing with the authorities digitally and simplifies business processes for companies.” – Franziska Barmettler, CEO digitalswitzerland
The new e-ID is the result of close collaboration between civil society, business and science – moderated and developed by the federal authorities. The result is a public service trust infrastructure for the general public that enables end-to-end and secure digital administrative processes and transactions with companies. This will considerably simplify many everyday situations for the population – such as concluding mobile phone contracts, obtaining an extract from the debt collection register or providing proof of age.
“By anchoring basic principles of data protection such as data minimisation and open source code, the e-ID forms an important basis for the development of digital services. The ongoing involvement of civil society is crucial to ensure public-interest and user-centred solutions that benefit us all.” – Erik Schönenberger, Managing Director Digitale Gesellschaft
The use of the new e-ID remains voluntary. The new law ensures that traditional identification using an ID card is still possible – freedom of choice is preserved. The decentralised nature of the infrastructure strengthens data protection and only mandatory data fields can be queried. Users of the new e-ID remain undisturbed – no third party, neither private nor governmental, gains access to individual transactions. This makes completely anonymous proof of age possible for the first time.
“Whether to protect your own identity, to ensure the protection of minors or for secure digital communication with the authorities – the electronic identity is an important step towards responsible and trustworthy digitalisation in Switzerland.” – Olga Baranova, Managing Director CH++
With the new e-ID, the central points of criticism of the first bill, which was voted on in March 2021, have been resolved. The legal basis for the e-ID is therefore supported almost unanimously by all parliamentary groups in the Federal Assembly. A broad, cross-party alliance of civil society organisations, academia and business associations also support the e-ID.
“The state digital identity card is a work of the century – the Switzerland of tomorrow is building on it. The e-ID strengthens direct democracy, removes existing hurdles, enables secure signature collection and more participation, for example for young people and people with disabilities.” – Daniel Graf, Board of Trustees member of the Stiftung direkte Demokratie
The Alliance for the e-ID thrives on the commitment of broad circles and is open to organisations and individuals from science, civil society, politics and business. Anyone who wants to stand up for a secure national digital identity is cordially invited to become part of this alliance and help shape the campaign.
“With great unity across all parties, Parliament and the administration have created a modern law for a new, state-run and trustworthy e-ID following the massive popular majority against the last bill.” – Gerhard Andrey, National Councillor and co-initiator of the new e-ID
About the Alliance for the e-ID:
The Alliance for the e-ID is an association of organisations and individuals from various sectors of society who are jointly committed to the introduction of a secure and state-issued digital identity card in Switzerland.
