Swiss Voters Back Digital IDs by Narrow Margin: Electronic Identity Cards to Become Reality

Swiss Voters Narrowly Approve Plan for Electronic ID Cards In a closely contested vote, Swiss citizens have approved a plan to introduce voluntary electronic identity cards by a margin of 50.4% to 49.6%. The proposal, which had the backing of the government and both houses of parliament, aims to provide citizens with an optional digital alternative to traditional national identity cards. According to official results, the revised proposal, which addresses concerns over data storage and control, has been accepted by voters. Under the new plan, personal data will be stored only on individual users' smartphones, rather than in a central database controlled by private providers. Citizens can choose to use either their digital ID or traditional national identity card. The Swiss government had expressed support for the proposal, citing its potential benefits for citizens and businesses alike. "This is an important step forward for our country," said a government spokesperson. "Digital IDs will make it easier for people to access public services and conduct transactions online." The vote comes after an earlier proposal was rejected in 2021 due to concerns over data security and control. The revised plan addresses these issues by ensuring that sensitive information is stored locally on users' devices. Swiss citizens have been debating the introduction of digital IDs for several years, with some arguing that they will improve convenience and efficiency, while others express concerns over privacy and data protection. The UK government announced plans to introduce its own digital ID system earlier this week, citing similar benefits. Swiss officials are now expected to move forward with implementing the new system, which is expected to be rolled out in phases over the next several years. As one expert noted, "This is a significant development for Switzerland and has implications for other countries considering similar initiatives." The introduction of digital IDs is likely to have far-reaching consequences for identity verification, data security, and online transactions. *Reporting by Bbc.*