Swiss voters have narrowly approved a new law enabling the creation of a digital identity system. Official preliminary results indicate a 50.39% vote in favor of the proposal on Sunday, with 49.61% voting against. Voter participation reached 49.55%.
The legislation paves the way for a state-managed electronic identification system, allowing citizens to electronically verify their identity with government agencies and businesses. Potential uses include accessing official forms and confirming age.
A previous attempt to introduce a digital identity system failed in a referendum four years ago, largely due to concerns regarding the potential involvement of private companies in managing data. This time, the proposal centered on a free, voluntary e-ID system entirely administered by the state, addressing those initial anxieties.
