Background information
Identity cards coming to smartphones: what you need to know now
by Florian Bodoky
Swiss E-ID: Now it's getting concrete
1.7.2024
Translation: machine translated
The Confederation is to offer a digital identity card from 2026. It will be free of charge and voluntary. Following the National Council, the Council of States committee is now also satisfied with the draft law - apart from a few minor details.
The federal e-ID is increasingly taking shape. After approval in the National Council last year, the Council of States committee is also satisfied with the draft bill. The vote at the end of last week was 9 to 1. However, the committee did introduce a few minor amendments. These relate to data protection and security.
Closed source and own wallet
The Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of States - as the committee is called in full - is satisfied. However, there are still a few details to be clarified. For example, it should be possible for your facial image to be compared automatically when you create an e-ID. In addition, the Commission wants public authorities - such as the residents' registration office, the police or others - to accept the e-ID to identify people. This way, you should be able to use the E-ID in as many places as possible if you already have it anyway.
It is still unclear how the E-ID should be stored initially. The Commission is calling for a "federal wallet". In other words, a wallet app developed by the state. Nevertheless, it should also be possible for private suppliers to store the Swiss E-ID in their wallet "in the future". Google or Apple, for example. Of course, only if the data protection and security regulations are met. For example, suppliers must ensure that the E-ID is only stored locally and not on a server abroad.
The Commission also talks about the infrastructure needed to operate the E-ID. Its source code should be open source at best. This is to be examined - if data security or the rights of third parties are jeopardised, open source should be dispensed with.
What happens now
? After the public rejected the idea of a privately issued digital ID at the ballot box in 2021, the federal government immediately made a new attempt. The new e-ID comes from the federal government itself, costs nothing and ownership is voluntary. This is well received, even if the federal government spends money on it. By agreeing to the law, people are also agreeing to the costs. There are three so-called commitment credits: 15.3 million francs for the pilot phase of the infrastructure and the wallet, 64.9 million francs for operation and further development and 20.2 million francs for the infrastructure needed to issue the E-ID.
After the National Council and the Council of States Committee have already given their approval, the Council of States will discuss and vote on the issue in the 2024 autumn session. It is likely that the Council of States will also vote in favour. The e-ID should then be a reality from 2026.
Header image: FDJP
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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