How Digital Civil Society Helped Shape The Swiss E-ID

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) When Swiss voters rejected an electronic identity in 2021, politicians and authorities involved critics in the redesign of the law. Erik Schönenberger from the Digital Society association calls the process“exemplary” – unlike in other areas of digital policy. This content was published on September 29, 2025 - 14:00 8 minutes

As a reporter I cover developments in democracy where the Swiss perspective becomes relevant. I am Swiss and have long been fascinated by the way public discussions shape society.

• More from this auth
• German Departme

• Deutsch de Wie die digitale Zivilgesellschaft bei der Ausgestaltung der Schweizer E-ID mitwirkte Original Read more: Wie die digitale Zivilgesellschaft bei der Ausgestaltung der Schweizer E-ID mitwirkt
• Français fr Comment la société civile a contribué à façonner l'e-ID suisse Read more: Comment la société civile a contribué à façonner l'e-ID suiss
• Italiano it Come la società civile digitale ha contribuito alla definizione dell'e-ID svizzera Read more: Come la società civile digitale ha contribuito alla definizione dell'e-ID svizzera
• 日本語 ja デジタルID僅差で可決、市民社会がどう貢献したか Read more: デジタルID僅差で可決、市民社会がどう貢献した
• Русский ru Швейцарский E-ID и особенности национального законотворчества Read more: Швейцарский E-ID и особенности национального законотворчеств

On Sunday 50.4% of Swiss voters backed the introduction of an electronic identity card (e-ID). Four years ago, on March 7, 2021, almost two-thirds of the electorate voted against one.

On March 10, 2025, parliamentarians from all political camps submitted motions in favour of an e-ID. Were politicians trying to ignore a direct democratic decision?

No. This is because these initiatives took up the main criticism of the rejected referendum proposal: they called for a state electronic ID (e-ID) that focuses on data economy and decentralised storage. The rejected e-ID proposal would have been issued by private companies. The initiatives reacted – also explicitly – to the result of the vote and included counter-arguments.

More More Swiss Politics Five lessons from Swiss voters' acceptance of e-ID

This content was published on Sep 28, 2025 The narrow yes to electronic ID provides insights for the future. An analysis.

Read more: Five lessons from Swiss voters' acceptance of e-I

MENAFN29092025000210011054ID1110126047