Swiss voters narrowly approved a proposal for digital identity cards, with 50.4% supporting the measure and 49.6% opposing it. The plan, which introduces voluntary digital IDs, surprised many due to its slim margin, as pre-election polls had predicted stronger public backing. The revised system keeps data management under government control, storing information only on users’ smartphones rather than centralized databases. Citizens may still opt for traditional national identity cards, a long-standing practice in Switzerland.
The proposal faced scrutiny over privacy concerns, with critics arguing that the law lacked sufficient safeguards. A referendum committee collected over 50,000 signatures to challenge the bill, forcing it into a public vote. Political analysts noted growing skepticism toward state-led solutions, particularly in conservative regions, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Swiss decision comes as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer advocates for mandatory digital IDs for workers, claiming the policy would deter illegal employment. Meanwhile, critics like journalist Michael Shellenberger accused “deep state-allied politicians” of pushing digital ID initiatives, calling it a “digital ID/censorship emergency.” He highlighted the close vote in Switzerland and warned that public opposition could escalate if transparency measures are not improved.
Supporters of the plan, including Olga Baranova of the CH association, emphasized the need for clearer communication about digital technology’s role in society. Opponents, such as Jonas Sulzer of the referendum committee, pointed to discrepancies between parliamentary approval and public sentiment, stressing that guarantees for privacy remained unmet.