Swiss voters narrowly approved a plan to introduce digital ID cards.
50.4% of voters approved the plan, while 49.6% rejected it.
The digital ID cards will be voluntary.
But for how long?
NEW - Switzerland approves digital ID with 50.4% voting yes, an earlier proposal was rejected in 2021. The digital ID will be "optional."
BBC has more:
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.
The Swiss vote comes amid United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push to impose digital IDs on British citizens.
Starmer claimed requiring every employee to hold a digital identity document will make it tougher to work in the United Kingdom illegally.
“This government will make a new free-0f-charge digital ID mandatory for the right to work by the end of this parliament,” Starmer said.
“You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID, it’s as simple as that,” he continued.
"The Swiss people just approved digital IDs. Australia implemented them in Dec. UK last week. In all 3 nations, deep state-allied politicians are behind them. This is a digital ID/censorship emergency," journalist Michael Shellenberger commented.
No comments:
Post a Comment