Posted on 09/28/2025 11:27:56 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Swiss voters have narrowly approved a plan to introduce voluntary electronic identity cards.
With all votes counted, 50.4% of those who voted said yes to the proposal, while 49.6% rejected it.
The closeness of the ballot is a surprise. Opinion polls had suggested up to 60% backed digital IDs, which also had the approval of the Swiss government, and both houses of parliament.
It was Switzerland's second vote on digital IDs. An earlier proposal was rejected in 2021, amid concerns the data would be held centrally, and controlled largely by private providers.
Sunday's revised proposal keeps the system in government hands. Data will be stored only on the smartphones of individual users, and digital IDs will be optional.
Citizens can continue to use national identity card if they choose, which has been standard for decades in Switzerland.
To further ease privacy concerns, a particular authority seeking information on a person – such as proof of age or nationality, for example – will only be able to check for those specific details.
It comes after the UK government announced plans earlier this week to introduce its own digital ID - which would be mandatory for employment - as part of efforts to curb the number of illegal migrants living and working in the country.
The proposed British digital ID would have fewer intended uses than the Swiss version, but has still raised concerns about privacy and data security.
Supporters of the Swiss system say it will make life much easier for everyone, allowing a range of bureaucratic procedures - from getting a telephone contract to proving you are old enough to buy a bottle of wine - to happen quickly online.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Comes with a monthly ration card for ze bugs.
Voluntary for now. 🙄
Changing it will require voter approval, same as initiating the voluntary electronic ID.
The individual Cantons have the bulk of political power in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Government is comparatively weak, particularly when compared to the authority of other European governments.
Tell me we’re not moving to a one-world gubmint.
The key words being “for now”.
And only tracking the Swiss.
Illegal immigrants and those who hire them aren’t going to let “digital ID” stop them.
Hopefully not for a very long time.
Never tell a computer any more than you have to...
Dumbassery!
This won’t go, or end, well.
They can try but the EU will collapse shortly. The UK, France, Germany, Sweden are in the process of being transformed. Eastern Europe nations will withdraw from the EU.
My guess is that all of this will happen in 10-20 years.
That close a vote? Probably fraudulent.
The left keeps voting and voting until they get what they want. Then it never again comes up for a vote.
Even if we vote and get something we want, they end up ignoring it anyway.
Liberal incrementalism.
Yup
Pretty soon, not.
Yup
Pretty soon, not.
Do you lose your identity when you lose your phone?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.