On March 7, the Swiss will vote on the e-ID law, aimed at introducing a state-recognized digital identity. While it promises greater security and innovation, it has also sparked debate, particularly as regards the involvement of private companies. Discover the arguments of both supporters and opponents of this crucial legislation.
On March 7, Switzerland will vote on the federal law on electronic identification services (e-ID). This legislation aims to introduce a state-recognized digital identity, but it is provoking lively debate, not least because of the involvement of private companies in its implementation.
The main aim of the e-ID is to make online identification safer and simpler. This electronic identity would be made up of personal data verified by the State, offering a more reliable alternative to the identifiers used by giants such as Google or Facebook. It would help combat identity theft and secure digital transactions.
What's more, according to Cédric Roy, Head of the Swiss eGovernment Operations Division, the e-ID will be a key tool for modernizing eGovernment in Switzerland and catching up with the technological backlog in this area.
The law submitted to referendum proposes a mixed approach to e-ID implementation. The state would be responsible for verifying and confirming citizens' identity, while private companies would be in charge of supplying the necessary hardware. These companies would be subject to regular checks by the Federal e-ID Commission (EIDCOM), making collaboration between the public and private sectors essential.
Although largely approved by parliament in 2019, the law has met with opposition from several political parties, including the SP, the Greens, and the Liberal Greens, as well as from eight cantons. Their main argument lies in the fear that the involvement of private companies will jeopardize the sovereignty of the State, particularly with regard to the management of sensitive personal data.
The referendums criticize the use of private actors to issue the e-ID, arguing that this poses a risk to national sovereignty. They point out that companies such as banks and insurance companies should not have access to such sensitive data. According to Nuria Gorrite, President of the Vaud State Council, this privatization of digital identity poses a threat to democracy and citizens' confidence in technological progress.
Supporters of the law, including the Federal Council and Digitalswitzerland, defend the involvement of the private sector, arguing that this would enable the development of more flexible and rapid solutions. The Confederation would retain its sovereignty by verifying citizens' identities through official registers. Moreover, such an e-ID is seen as an important lever for stimulating digital innovation in Switzerland. According to Christian Rathgeb, President of the Conference of Cantonal Governments, this public-private collaboration has already proved its worth in other countries, and can offer a model adapted to Swiss needs.
The March 7 referendum on the e-ID law will mark a turning point in Switzerland's approach to digital identity. Debates are crystallizing around the question of state sovereignty in the face of private company involvement, with opposing arguments about trust, security and innovation.
Source : ICTjournal
