I'm super happy about this result. I hope the government will learn from this case.
Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
11–20 of 423 posts
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I wonder if the refugee crisis would have happened at all Pretty sure the main issue, the fact that people needed to leave their homes and countries, would still have happened.
It amazes me how people buy into the right-wing narrative about politicians having invited refugees to Europe, when in fact, the EU is trying hard to keep them from entering in the first place. What might have prevented the refugee crisis might have been if the middle-east region had not been destabilised in the previous decades. And part of that destabilisation is due to the US Republican party pushing for an invasi…
People believe whatever is shouted loudest and longest. That's physics. It's inevitable.
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#13https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss--burka-ban--vote-too-clos... >A decade after another national vote that banned the building of minarets, Switzerland will introduce a clause in its constitution to outlaw face coverings, including the Islamic burka and niqab, in public spaces. That's very cool, the EU has a lot to learn regarding direct democracy--I wonder if the refugee crisis would have happened at all if people w…
> “Facial coverings are contrary to our value system,” Wobmann told Swiss public television, SRF. He said there were now clear rules in place so that “people know that in our country, you show your face in public”. I wonder if this reasoning will be re-examined due to widespread good faith face mask use during the pandemic.
Wearing a mask for health reasons is still allowed. That being said, laws prohibiting what you may wear, targeted specifically against a religion, are concerning.
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I wonder if the refugee crisis would have happened at all Pretty sure the main issue, the fact that people needed to leave their homes and countries, would still have happened.
It amazes me how people buy into the right-wing narrative about politicians having invited refugees to Europe, when in fact, the EU is trying hard to keep them from entering in the first place. What might have prevented the refugee crisis might have been if the middle-east region had not been destabilised in the previous decades. And part of that destabilisation is due to the US Republican party pushing for an invasi…
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Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#15https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss--burka-ban--vote-too-clos... >A decade after another national vote that banned the building of minarets, Switzerland will introduce a clause in its constitution to outlaw face coverings, including the Islamic burka and niqab, in public spaces. That's very cool, the EU has a lot to learn regarding direct democracy--I wonder if the refugee crisis would have happened at all if people w…
Oh no, another great country destroyed by democracy. When will people learn that there are things that shouldn't be voted about... :-(
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#16“It is key for Switzerland to catch up with other countries when it comes digitalisation“
Why?
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#17Too late they already do it
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#18Switzerland has this in its constitution: Article 13: Right to Privacy 1. All persons have the right to receive respect for their private and family life, home, and secrecy of the mails and telecommunications. 2. All persons have the right to be protected against the abuse of personal data. Also the constitution can be only changed by voting.
Plenty of countries (if not most) have this or something similar, anchored in either their constitution or at least in regular law.
This should not come as a surprise either, since it's essentially the implementation of Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Where it usually goes wrong, is with the interpretation of the words "privacy" and "communication". Also, governments have a habit of defining exceptional situations in which these laws can be violated in the name of some supposedly higher purpose (e.g. national security).
Strictly speaking, the UDHR is rather clear about one thing: the declared human rights are inalienable (meaning, they can neither be taken away nor be given away freely), so all the exceptions are essentially bullshit excuses. Those should not exist in the first place, at least not according to the "inalienably" part of "inalienable human rights".
Additionally, there is no law/treaty that explains why modern technologies should not be subject to Article 12. While plenty of governments/businesses would like to convince people otherwise, almost everything we do online is strictly speaking telecommunication of some sort or another.
The sad truth is that pretty much all of today's online privacy issues are strictly speaking in violation of the UDHR. There is just way too much at stake for businesses and governments alike for them to ever acknowledge it. It doesn't change that they are blatantly violating a treaty they signed, ratified and should be upholding though.
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#19This sounds like the Italian digital ID: required by the government, managed by multiple companies. It’s called SPID. It’s usually free, but there’s also certified email (PEC) that costs from 5€ to 30€ per year. Also required by the government in some cases and also offered by a small number of companies. Does Estonia offer their digital IDs directly?
As an alternative to SPID you can also use your national electronic ID card, which is issued by the state without the involvement of private companies.
Re: Switzerland votes against electronic ID system provided by private companies
#20Almost every politician wants more power over citizens. That is why a binding popular referendum is necessary in cases like these. Congrats to the Swiss people, I am a little bit jealous.
I really admire the swiss political system & culture.
It's has all the modern postulates of liberty & governance that most countries are striving for without the "scam orchestration"