Switzerland votes on electronic identity cards for second time

An early projection shows voters are evenly split over the policy, which has already been rejected once before.

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It is the second nationwide ballot on the issue, after the idea was rejected in 2021 over data protection concerns and unease over the proposed system being largely run by private firms.

Under the revised proposal, the new system would remain entirely optional and in public hands, with data stored on users' smartphones rather than centrally.

It comes as the UK government this week announced plans to introduce its own digital ID as part of efforts to curb the number of illegal migrants living and working in the country.

The proposed British digital ID would have fewer intended uses, but has still raised concerns about privacy and data security.