DIDAS Position on the E-ID

As an association, DIDAS advocates for the state-issued E-ID as well as the underlying trust infrastructure. Both are key building blocks for a secure, efficient, and trustworthy digital society in Switzerland.

E-ID

The E-ID enables reliable identification in the digital space – especially where secure identity verification is required:

• Public services, e.g., ordering official documents such as register extracts

• Opening a bank account

• Online purchases, e.g., buying alcohol or concluding a mobile phone contract

Use cases can either be digital versions of existing processes (such as opening a bank account) or entirely new scenarios that exist only online.

Trust Infrastructure

The E-ID is based on a cryptographically secured trust infrastructure. This provides the foundation for a wide range of digital proofs (verifiable credentials), which – independently of the E-ID – can be managed in a personal wallet.

Put simply: everything that today exists as a plastic card – and much more – can be securely digitized and stored, for example:

• Learner’s permit and driver’s license

• Insurance card

• Proof of residence (e.g., for subsidized family transport services)

• Membership cards (loyalty programs, fitness clubs, libraries)

• Educational certificates such as diplomas

• Digital medical prescriptions

• Personal health data (see award-winning prototype from the GovTech Hackathon 2024)

With the trust infrastructure, access to digital services becomes simpler, and legal certainty increases – thanks to the use of original data rather than insecure copies. This boosts efficiency, trust, and reliability in the digital space. Applications range from familiar processes to new digital services that do not exist in the analog world.

DIDAS launches youth competition “The E-ID and You”

Switzerland is getting an E-ID! 

The E-ID is groundbreaking for the future of Switzerland’s digital identity infrastructure. Discussions prior to the vote have shown the importance to build digital literacy among the population. 

DIDAS is therefore launching an innovative competition «The E-ID and you», as «E-ID Challenge» for secondary school, high school, and vocational school classes. This competition offers young people the opportunity to engage creatively and critically with one of Switzerland’s most important digital policy issues. 

The competition challenges young people to explain in a short video what the E-ID and the associated trust infrastructure are and what possible applications there are for them. The focus is not only on creative presentation, but also on thoughtful contributions that foster the understanding of the paradigm shift and the democratic discourse. The three best entries will receive prizes totaling CHF 3,500.  

Further information and participation details can be found in the media release and will soon be available on this page.

E-ID Challenge 

Press Release