Swiss voters narrowly approve plan for electronic ID cards

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Swiss voters approved a plan for voluntary electronic identity cards, with 50.4% voting in favor and 49.6% against, a surprisingly close result. Contrary to polls predicting up to 60% support, the tight margin reflects ongoing concerns about privacy in Switzerland, a nation with a strong tradition of safeguarding personal data.

This marks Switzerland’s second referendum on digital IDs, following a 2021 rejection due to fears of centralized data storage and private provider control. The revised proposal addresses these issues by ensuring “data will be stored only on the smartphones of individual users” and keeping the system under government oversight. The IDs remain optional, allowing citizens to continue using traditional national identity cards.

Supporters highlight the convenience of digital IDs, streamlining tasks like verifying age or nationality for bureaucratic processes. However, opponents, who forced the referendum, warn that “the measure could still undermine individual privacy” and fear potential misuse for tracking or marketing, despite strict data access rules limiting authorities to specific details.

The approval underscores Switzerland’s cautious embrace of digital innovation while prioritizing privacy, a balance rooted in its history of stringent data protection laws.