IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

The Confederation's new electronic identity (e-ID) will enable users to identify themselves digitally in a secure, fast and uncomplicated way. At its meeting on 22 November 2023, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the new Federal Act on Electronic Identity Credentials and Other Electronic Credentials (E-ID Act). The e-ID will be issued by the Confederation, will guarantee the greatest possible protection of personal data, and its use will be free of charge and voluntary. The Federal Council is proposing that the infrastructure required to operate the e-ID can also be used by cantonal and communal authorities and by private individuals and entities to issue electronic credentials.

The following 11 cantons have already successfully tried their electronic voting systems: Bern, Lucerne, Fribourg, Basel-Stadt, Schaffhousen, St Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Geneva. This means that 161 947 voters residing abroad are given the opportunity to vote online; this number corresponds to 3.17 % of the total Swiss electorate (5.1 million voters) and to one-third of the maximum number of voters allowed to electronic voting (10 %), according to the Federal Ordinance of 24 May 1978 on Political Rights.

The new group also wants to make digital data publicly available in order to increase openness and make it easier for citizens to get involved in the city administration.

"The Bern city council regularly considers requests for IT projects requiring millions for new hardware and software, or that involve renewing of existing applications", the Digital Sustainability Group said in a press statement via email. "The council is often faced with the challenge of having well-founded opinions regarding IT at the right time during the decision-making process."

Interior Minister Didier Burkhalter said the creation of a legal basis was key for a success of electronic patient records.

Participation in the electronic system should be voluntary for patients and health insurers would not have access, according to the proposals.

Die Rollenteilung zwischen Staat und Privaten behält der Bundesrat in seiner Botschaft zum Gesetz über die elektronischen Identifizierungsdienste. Dafür stärkt er den Datenschutz und die Rolle des Bundes.

Mehr Sicherheit und mehr Benutzerfreundlichkeit soll die elektronische Identität bringen, so die Hoffnung des Bundesrats. Die Nutzer einer solchen E-ID sollen bei Online-Shopping oder E-Government-Angeboten belegen können, dass sie eine bestimmte Person sind – und das mit einem einzigen Log-in.

Voters in Switzerland have thrown out a law governing a proposed electronic identity system. The result is blow for plans by parliament and the government amid fears about data protection.

Final results show 64.4% of voters coming out against the planned law on Sunday. The rejection rate among the cantons ranged between 70.7% and 55.8%.

The Swiss Federal Council officially adopted the Swiss eHealth Strategy on 27 June 2007. Since then, the strategy has been implemented collaboratively with the 26 Swiss cantons, the member states of the Federal State. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is expected to allow health professionals to access the pertinent health data of their patients, regardless of place and time. Access to such data will require the patients' consent.

Introduction

In 2019 nearly 50,000 construction projects for buildings were planned in Switzerland with corresponding investments of over Sfr46 billion. Before construction work can begin for any of these projects, a building permit procedure must be completed. In the canton of Bern alone, approximately 20,000 building permit requests are submitted annually. This involves about 350,000 postal deliveries and approximately 28 million pieces of paper.

In a standard building permit procedure, numerous forms must be completed for the submission of a building permit request. In practice, forms are often missing or completed incorrectly.

Die Digitalisierung von Daten hat viele Vorteile. Kosten können gesenkt werden, die Daten sind schneller und besser zugänglich und können länger gelagert werden. Unlesbare Notizen von Ärzten, vergilbte Papiere und gealterte Röntgenbilder werden damit der Vergangenheit angehören.

Wenn in den nächsten Tagen die Steuerpflichtigen im Kanton St.Gallen brieflich daran erinnert werden, dass sie ihre Steuererklärung innert 14 Tagen einreichen sollen, macht sie das Kantonale Steueramt zugleich auf den Service der elektronischen Fristverlängerung aufmerksam. Neu ist dieser Service – zusätzlich zur gewohnten eFristverlängerung über die Website des Kantonalen Steueramtes – auch als App für Smartphones verfügbar.

At its session of 5 April 2012, the Steering Committee also took stock of progress in the implementation of the Swiss eGovernment Strategy which is well on the way; the Steering Committee acknowledged two new priority projects (listed in the catalogue of priority projects of the Strategy) as 'implemented'.

The 'e-toile' is being piloted in four Geneva municipalities since February 2011 with the aim to network patients with healthcare sector stakeholders via a Medical Data Exchange Solution (MDES). Patients living in Bernex, Confignon, Onex and Petit-Lancy can now log on to the healthcare network 'e-toile' and create a personal EHR with participating doctors and pharmacists. The 'e-toile' pilot includes a portal for patients and for healthcare professionals, where clinicians and other providers can access patient records from across the canton through the MDES. Patients must first grant access to the records to specific healthcare entities, thus helping to ensure patient privacy.

Recommendations for the implementation of the Swiss eHealth Strategy are continuously issued by the eHealth Suisse Steering Committee since March 2009. On 2 September 2011, the same committee published both the concept and the guidance document for the evaluation of pilot schemes, therefore evaluations can start.

The trials involved 3 562 Swiss expatriates registered in the cantons of Basel-City, St. Gallen, Graubünden and Aargau. Approximately 22 000 people were eligible to vote by electronic means, which constituted 0.4 % of the 5.09 million qualified voters. Up to 53.1 % of Swiss expatriate voters registered in the cantons to participate in the trials made use of eVoting. Only expatriates residing in a EU Member State or a Participating State of the Wassenaar Arrangement can cast their vote electronically, which makes up about 90 % of this voter group.

It is guaranteed that the digitization of communication will change the perception of our cities and communities for the better. Is your community already taking advantage of these positive aspects?

Many areas in and around our lives are changing as a result of digitization. This includes the public sector such as the federal government, cities and municipalities. It is therefore hardly surprising that more and more smart city projects with unique solutions are emerging.

At its session of 20 June 2011, the Steering Committee eGovernment Switzerland was informed of the progress in the implementation of the Swiss eGovernment strategy. On this occasion, it approved the completion of six eGovernment projects, two of which concern services: (1) the platform for company creation and (2) 'ASA 2011', eGovernment in agriculture.

Der Katalog priorisierter Vorhaben ist ein wichtiges Umsetzungsinstrument der E-Government-Strategie Schweiz. Die 45 aufgeführten Vorhaben unterscheiden sich einerseits in den Leistungen, die den elektronischen Verkehr mit den Behörden für Privatpersonen und Unternehmen ermöglichen, und andererseits in den Voraussetzungen wie Infrastruktur und Standards, welche organisatorische oder rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen schaffen.

The new biometric residence permits, used with a passport, give the holder free travel without a visa, throughout the Schengen area.

The credit card size documents contain a biometric chip with data that will be stored for five years by the canton that issues it.

The strategy document 'eVoting Roadmap' ('La Feuille de Route du Vote Électronique', in French) which was discussed by the Conference of Government Chancellors at its spring meeting provided for the establishment of a nine-member eVoting steering committee responsible for dealing with all strategic and political issues.