What could possibly go wrong with the Swiss E-ID? (a collective exercise)

Digital systems are never 100% secure, this is the reality and anyone seeking for absolute security will not be able to take any step toward progress and innovation. And security is only one type of risk by extended digitalization. Dependence on inherently imperfect technologies can be detrimental in case of crises and disasters, but also can cause various forms of addiction that affects the health of our social relationships, even our mental health.

In any case, risk assessment is always necessary since some risks are more severe and/or more probable than others, as analyzed in ISOC-CH’s recent position article.

How about the Swiss E-ID as it is currently proposed?

No one denies that this law comes with certain risks, and the final decision should not be based on political positions but on  how much risk each of us is willing to accept.

With just a few days left before this critical vote, we invite both experts and non-experts to reflect on what could possibly go wrong with the Swiss E-ID, and to consider the likelihood of these risks.

Join us at L200, Langstrasse 200 in Zurich, on September 18th, after 18:30.

Online participation is available via BigBlueButton room, kindly provided by the NGI0 Commons Fund.

The discussion will be held as a round table, open for you to join at any time. Light refreshments will be available.

Please register by sending an email to contact@isoc.ch. You may also include a short story highlighting a risk of the Swiss E-ID that you consider important.

The Internet Society (ISOC) Switzerland Chapter is a non-profit organization that engages on a variety of Internet-related topics, ensuring that it is a place of possibility, opportunity, and progress that benefits people worldwide. We provide technically-grounded advice, policy recommendations, and educational material regarding privacy, security, Free and Open-Source Software, and digital sovereignty. We also organize informative events and debates like the annual Public Policy Sessions and participate in collaborative research projects like the NGI0 Commons Fund. 

As a national chapter of the international organization responsible for the .org domain, ISOC CH acts as a gateway between Switzerland and the international digital civil society.

You can consider becoming a member (through the main ISOC web site) following the instructions at https://isoc.ch/membership, or just subscribe to our newsletter (2-3 announcements per year) by sending a message to contact@isoc.ch