Against the electronic ID resistance

the irony of the story: The Federal Council wanted to start the electronic identity card from security, so it said, the former justice Department, Simonetta Sommaruga in the last summer. The digitization of demand due to a secure identification on the Internet, today's analog documents were only.

the safety argument is now being fought but the template: Private to give out the new electronic identity card (E-ID), is seen as a risk, since it is sensitive data, and ultimately as damaging for democracy. The state with Private cooperating, is desirable, said Che Wagner of the platform Wecollect.ch. "But there are areas in which Private-the state can't replace."

Private companies would not have the confidence of the citizens, this is such an important task is essential. And digital processes proven to be prone to manipulation. Wagner recalls, for example, of failed E-Voting Trials in Geneva as an IT specialist, demonstrated how easy it was to influence the voting result.

Also: "When the Federal government promoted the E-ID itself sidelined, by delegating the release, installed it, the future of digital democracy. Because the E-ID is a Central Element in E-Government, E-Voting or E-Collecting. Private for these important benefits arise in the longer term, and to be reliable, is unthinkable."

donations for survey

Che Wagner is a project Manager for the Crowd-Lobbying at Wecollect.ch, a campaign expert Daniel Graf founded platform. This has just started a collection campaign for a representative opinion poll, which she will perform together with the Digital society Switzerland, and the Foundation for consumer protection. "Who wants to be a digital Swiss passport from UBS, Swisscom or by the Post?", the question is. 3000 francs it would have taken for the survey, more than Twice was received, according to Wagner, 24 hours later.

But the money is welcome. The opponents mobilize for a Referendum in case the Parliament will decide in the sense of the Federal Council. The national Council has approved the law, the stand ätliche rights Commission is also, in principle, agree. The application that do not leave out gift of an E-ID is simply the market, but to delegate to licensed companies, was rejected this week, just as the Commission announced. A final decision, the Commission did not like, however.

companies are already ready to long

Suspicious of the critics are also, because numerous companies have holes as so-called Identity Provider in the start. The government-related companies SBB, Swiss Post and Swisscom have formed with the largest banks and insurance companies in a consortium to develop the Swiss Sign Group – with the purpose of a surrender procedure. These include UBS, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen, ZKB, Six Group, Axa, Baloise, CSS, Helvetia, Mobiliar, Swiss Life, Vaudoise and Zurich.

This company made for years, "hard Lobbying" for the E-ID, said Che Wagner. The reason was obvious: Who are the citizens to get data for identity cards, have been the big one. No other Institution would have such comprehensive information to residents of Switzerland, as the company, the issuing of the ID. The danger of monopolization, said the judiciary head of Karin Keller-Sutter at the advice of the business in the national Assembly.

Individual companies or cantons and cities already offer electronic Identification of options for their customers or citizens. The E-ID is intended to replace all previous models such as Swiss ID, Swiss ID, or the Swiss Pass. The data of citizens would be collected from the Federal office of police and retained by a newly created body. The publisher company or companies would be at this point, any queries, or check whether the information provided by the Person votes, the requested ID.

"Finally, forward

In the Council of States Commission," the division of tasks between the state and the Private controversial. Unlike in the national Council, where the model with a large majority and was approved. He see no Problem in it, says the Freiburg CVP councillor Beat Vonlanthen. The Problem is, rather, that it could not go fast enough forward.

He had recently visited the Baltic States, and these were regarding the digitalisation of much more than Switzerland. There is hardly a tax will filled out explanation analog. Switzerland should finally be active and the citizens of this opportunity. And: "The Federal Council's proposed recognition procedure is safe and fast."

SP-councillor Daniel Jositsch is skeptical. The issuing of identity cards, should apply in his opinion, the state, or at least companies that have been selected in a concession procedure. At some point will probably a feature of the Pass electric, says Jositsch.

The digitization will also be driven in other areas, which is why the model for the E-ID is probably leading the way. It was a principle decision needs to wisely and sustainably justifiable. In the eyes of Beat Vonlanthen, the licensing procedure would be in favour of the Jositsch, however, lead to delays.

the greens and the SP have already said in the national Council no, now SVP and CVP representatives are skeptical of the private printed ID. Therefore, the application for a concession and conciliation has been declined only slightly, by 5 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions. Che Wagner is happy. "The awareness is growing." (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 19.04.2019, 11:57 am