Advertisement

Reader questions For Members

Reader question: What data is stored on Switzerland’s Covid-19 immunity card?

The Local
The Local - [email protected]
Reader question: What data is stored on Switzerland’s Covid-19 immunity card?

Switzerland is rolling out its Covid-19 health card. While this will allow a return to normality of sorts, it has given rise to questions about data and privacy.

Advertisement

On Monday, June 7th, Switzerland finally released its Covid-19 certificate, which will provide certain rights and privileges to holders for travel and events. 

UPDATED: Everything you need to know about the ‘green pass’, Switzerland’s coronavirus immunity card

The Covid-19 certificate – otherwise known as the Covid-19 pass or the green pass – is available in paper and digital form. 

According to the Swiss government, the pass “provides documentary evidence that you have had a COVID-19 vaccination, have had and recovered from the disease or have tested negative”. 

International travel will be one of the major privileges of the pass, while domestically it will let you visit bars, restaurants, nightclubs and larger events. 

READ MORE: What will Switzerland’s Covid-19 pass allow you to do?

How will Switzerland's Covid-19 pass protect my privacy - and what data does it record?

While the exact specifics of the Covid-19 pass are still being developed, it will in effect be a QR code which can either be shown in paper format or in a digital format, i.e. via an app. 

The app was released in early June. You can get access to it at the following link. 

How to get Switzerland’s Covid-19 health pass

One major concern about the pass relates to data and privacy, particularly relating to what information can be seen by the person checking for your Covid-19 pass, i.e. at a bar, event or when travelling. 

This has been clarified by the Swiss government, who said that only your name, date of birth and your status (i.e. whether the certificate is valid) will be available to the person checking it. 

Advertisement

Other information, such as whether you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative, or how long ago any of this took place, is not available. 

The government has confirmed that you may be asked for your ID so that the person checking the pass can be sure that it belongs to you. 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also