{"id":215223,"date":"2025-11-15T15:45:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T15:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/?p=215223"},"modified":"2025-11-15T15:45:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T15:45:32","slug":"a-yes-with-a-question-mark-why-the-e-id-is-far-from-decided","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/a-yes-with-a-question-mark-why-the-e-id-is-far-from-decided\/","title":{"rendered":"A Yes with a Question Mark: Why the E-ID Is Far From Decided"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>E-ID Adopted: All Is Not Lost Yet \u2013 Ways Out of Digital Control<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On September 28, 2025, Switzerland adopted the <em>Federal Act on Electronic Identity <\/em>(E-ID) by a razor-thin majority of 50.4 percent. Only 17,700 votes were needed for rejection. Voter turnout was around 50 percent \u2013 higher than the long-term average of 43.7 percent, but by no means a mass exodus.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-215224\" src=\"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiss-e-id.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiss-e-id.webp 1920w, https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiss-e-id-300x189.webp 300w, https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiss-e-id-1024x644.webp 1024w, https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiss-e-id-768x483.webp 768w, https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiss-e-id-1536x966.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For the Federal Council, the \u201cyes\u201d vote is a milestone on the path to digital administration; introduction is planned for summer 2026 at the earliest. Opponents, however, see it as a threat to freedom: a step towards digital control instead of digital sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>But give up? Now way. There are complaints, initiatives, and international warning signs that offer hope. This article summarizes the reactions, opportunities, and risks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The narrow result and the frustration of the opponents<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The result was a shock for the e-ID critics. \u201c<em>Digital control or digital freedom?<\/em>\u201d \u2013 that was the central question for them. The narrow \u201cyes\u201d vote motivates them all the more not to give up.<\/p>\n<p>Their resistance is manifested in several appeals against the vote filed with the Federal Supreme Court and in the cantons. The main accusations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Violation of political neutrality:<\/strong> Swisscom, a state-owned company, donated 30,000 francs to the \u201cyes\u201d campaign.<\/li>\n<li><strong>False information in the voting booklet:<\/strong> Misleading wording regarding the voluntary nature of the e-ID and potential fees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Complainants include the journalist and entrepreneur Stefan Siler, the Mode-voll movement, the Young SVP, and the Friends of the Constitution.<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Council and the Federal Chancellery reject the accusations: The booklet correctly described the voluntary nature and the fact that participation was free of charge.<\/p>\n<p>The aim of the complaints: to have the result overturned and a recount or a new vote held.<\/p>\n<p>The hurdles are enormous. Since 1848, there have been over 300 nationwide complaints regarding voting results \u2013 only two led to annulment, and both involved individual cantons (Nidwalden 1954, Schwyz 2019). A nationwide repeat? Unprecedented.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The trump card: The complaint about the SwiYu wallet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>One complaint stands out \u2013 submitted by Richard Koller (schweiz-macher.ch). It could be successful because it focuses on a lack of information: The SwiYu wallet, a central component of the e-ID, was hardly explained to voters. Many would have voted differently with better information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What exactly is the SwiYu wallet?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The e-ID is not a standalone app from the App Store. Users need to first install the SwiYu wallet \u2013 a special wallet app that stores personal data: health insurance information, flight tickets, ID cards, and the e-ID itself.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-215227\" src=\"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiyu.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"560\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiyu.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiyu-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/swiyu-768x320.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Practical at first glance. The downside: Whoever controls the app (operator or hacker via a backdoor) could read identity, location, or usage times.<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Council reassures: The wallet is operated by SwissSign (a private provider), data remains decentralized and encrypted on the mobile phone \u2013 no central database in Bern, sovereignty with the citizen.<\/p>\n<p>Koller nevertheless warns: 100% security doesn&#8217;t exist. The wallet could become mandatory for payments in the future. One click \u2013 and accounts are blocked. Switzerland is a member of the Better Than Cash Alliance (annual donation: approx. 2 million Swiss francs), which promotes cashless societies.<\/p>\n<p>Koller&#8217;s point: The e-ID opens the door to a powerful infrastructure. Many voters were unaware that with the e-ID they automatically accept a state-supervised wallet. Better informed, the result could have been reversed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Not lost yet: Two saving initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Even if the complaints fail, there are glimmers of hope. Two popular initiatives are gaining traction:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cDigital yes, but free\u201d <\/strong>(in preparation by Richard Koller) \u2013 Amendment to the <em>Federal Constitution<\/em> by adding Article 13a.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key point:<\/strong> E-ID remains explicitly voluntary. Authorities and companies must always offer alternative forms of identification (e.g., physical card).<\/p>\n<p>This way, digital enthusiasts benefit from the wallet, while those who value freedom remain independent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cCash is freedom\u201d <\/strong>(Freedom Movement Switzerland, FBS) \u2013 Already submitted, enough signatures, counter-proposal from the Federal Council to Parliament (summer 2024). Vote expected in 2026\/2027.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Goal:<\/strong> Constitutional protection for cash (coins and banknotes). The Federal Council&#8217;s counter-proposal allows digital central bank money to be considered \u201ccash\u201d \u2013 a \u201c<em>nasty catch<\/em>,\u201d say the initiators. The initiative prevents exactly that.<\/p>\n<p>If these two actions succeed, control is averted. Otherwise: Theoretically, a free hand for surveillance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>International comparison: The USA and Real ID as a warning<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the US, Real ID has been running for years \u2013 originally to standardize driver&#8217;s licenses. Today: A digital surveillance system?<\/p>\n<p>Officially voluntary, but pressure is mounting: Soon, without Real ID, no flying or entering federal buildings (e.g., the tax office).<\/p>\n<p>Twila Brase (Citizens&#8217; Council for Health Freedom) calls it a \u201c<em>Trojan horse<\/em>\u201d: National ID card, violation of privacy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Planned digitization: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On smartphone, remotely readable in real time.<\/li>\n<li>Data: Name, address, biometric facial scans \u2013 in national\/international databases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Critics: First step towards total surveillance, extension to health or travel data.<\/p>\n<p>Consequence: Digital passport for movement and health. The state could restrict travel, deny access \u2013 or make it mandatory for bank accounts, marriage, gun purchases, car rentals.<\/p>\n<p>Brase: Not too late. Prioritize traditional IDs to prevent misuse.<\/p>\n<p>The same pattern worldwide: Centralized data collection at the state level \u2013 no coincidence?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion: Act instead of resigning<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The e-ID has been accepted, but the fight continues. Complaints (especially Koller&#8217;s regarding the wallet) could be overturned.<\/p>\n<p>The initiatives \u201c<em>Digital yes, but free<\/em>\u201d and \u201c<em>Cash is freedom<\/em>\u201d need to prevail.<\/p>\n<p>International examples serve as a warning: Voluntary today, mandatory tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland can remain a pioneer for freedom \u2013 with vigilance and commitment. All is not lost yet.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>yogaesoteric<br \/>\nNovember 15, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>E-ID Adopted: All Is Not Lost Yet \u2013 Ways Out of Digital Control On September 28, 2025, Switzerland adopted the Federal Act on Electronic Identity (E-ID) by a razor-thin majority of 50.4 percent. Only 17,700 votes were needed for rejection. Voter turnout was around 50 percent \u2013 higher than the long-term average of 43.7 percent, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1093],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-215223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-censored-news-social-5127-en-censored-sensational-news-3480-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215223"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":215230,"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215223\/revisions\/215230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}