In 2021, a referendum was held in Switzerland on the introduction of e-ID. The majority of citizens rejected the proposal unequivocally – a clear expression that the population does not want a digital identity monitored by the state. However, the state seems to be ignoring this democratic decision. Slowly and under new pretexts, e-ID is now being introduced. Initially presented as a voluntary solution, it is gradually being integrated into more and more areas of life. This approach shows that it is not about protecting or simplifying everyday life, but about the gradual introduction of a comprehensive control system. A scenario that raises questions about the real purpose of e-ID.
Phase 1: Voluntary start
E-ID will initially be introduced as a voluntary solution. Citizens can decide whether they want to use their e-ID to carry out their administrative tasks, bank online or shop online. The advantages are highlighted: greater security, less bureaucracy and easier access to digital services. But what starts off harmlessly is laying the foundation for a development that is almost impossible to reverse.
Phase 2: E-ID becomes essential for elections
E-ID will soon be required for participation in democratic processes such as elections or voting. The argument for this is to prevent manipulation and fraud. Citizens who want to cast their vote must prove themselves with their e-ID. Those who do not have one face obstacles – the creeping pressure to submit to a digital identity.
Phase 3: Children need e-ID to access the internet
In the name of child protection, e-ID is mandatory for children and young people. Parents must register their children to allow them access to the internet. Without e-ID, the digital space will remain closed. Officially, this measure is intended to protect against dangerous content, but it lays the foundation for complete monitoring of digital activities.
Phase 4: Online-only administrative procedures with e-ID
In order to reduce administrative costs, authorities decide to offer their services exclusively digitally. Passports, birth certificates or tax returns can now only be processed online using e-ID. Citizens without a digital identity are forced to register in order to access basic government services.
Phase 5: E-ID as an access key to society
Slowly but surely, e-ID is becoming a ticket to many areas of life. Access to public transport, libraries, sports clubs or even cafes is linked to the use of e-ID. Digital identity is becoming indispensable for participating in social life. Anyone who does not have one is effectively excluded.
Phase 6: Linking with health data
E-ID is linked to health data. Vaccinations, medical history and preventive examinations are recorded centrally. Authorities and private companies will have access to adopt “targeted health measures”. Citizens without up-to-date vaccinations or preventive check-ups lose access to some services.
Phase 7: E-ID as a control tool
E-ID will become the basis for a comprehensive social credit system. Citizens who behave “uncooperatively” – whether by refusing vaccinations, expressing critical opinions or engaging in “inappropriate” consumer behavior – can be sanctioned. This could mean exclusion from online platforms, public services or even the job market.
Final scenario: complete control
In the final phase, e-ID will become a requirement for almost every activity, whether online or offline. Access to the internet, public transport, healthcare services or educational institutions is only granted with an active e-ID. Citizens who do not comply with the system’s requirements are systematically isolated. A centrally controlled monitoring system decides who can participate – and who cannot.
A call for vigilance
The gradual evolution from voluntary use of e-ID to a comprehensive control system is not an unrealistic scenario. The integration of digital identity into more and more areas of life carries the risk of undermining personal freedoms and expanding state and private sector control.
Before convenience becomes a system that no one can question anymore, the introduction of e-ID needs to be critically examined. The freedom to decide on one’s own identity should never be sacrificed to a centralized control apparatus.
Image: Pixabay.com
