Euronews Debates: The future of digital identity, balancing security, privacy, and accessibility

On 22 May, Euronews will be hosting an hour-long debate on digital identity, where prominent figures from the European technology industry will discuss the current state of digital identity, with a focus on the e-ID scheme proposed by the Swiss government.

What is digital identity? How does it affect organisations, consumers and individuals? And what are the safety concerns around how these identities are created and managed?  These are just some of the questions being asked around the world in 2025, but right now most prominently in Switzerland, where the government is hoping to launch a statewide e-ID (electronic identification) system.  The proposition was roundly rebuffed by the public back in 2021 when it was put to a referendum, so the Swiss government has been modifying their offering ever since and is now looking to launch a new, refined version in 2026. But for residents, many questions and concerns persist.Dig into this issue with the latest views and opinions on digital identity by tuning into the Euronews YouTube channel at 11.00am CET on 22 May, to enjoy an hour-long debate on this very topic. We’ll be hosting a live panel debate with some of the most significant voices in the industry. You can follow it live on the player above.The debate will discuss, among other things, the state of play of digital identity, consumer protection, security and privacy and trust and consumer digital literacy – as well as just how digital identity affects our daily lives. If you have a question for our panellists, please let us know using this Google Form. The debate will be hosted by Chris Burns, a long time Euronews contributor, and feature Agnieszka Wyszynska-Szulc, Vice President Regulatory, Product & ESG Policy at PMI, Daniel Säuberli, President of DIDAS and Karim Nemr, Chief Business Officer at PXL Vision. What exactly is digital identity? Digital identity is broadly defined as being a collection of data points identifying an individual or an organisation in a digital space. These points can include login details, social media profiles, biometric data, email addresses, usernames and even behavioural patterns.  Digital identities determine who a person or entity is online, and crucially, what services they can access. They can help protect users against fraud and cybercrime while allowing access to facilities such as online banking and healthcare. Many European countries already use a version of e-ID, such as Finland, Sweden and most successfully Estonia.Estonia’s digital identity system is considered to be the gold standard, furnishing residents with chipped ID cards, mobile-friendly login options, digital signatures and a platform equipped with tools designed to protect privacy and ensure data integrity. Estonians use it daily to vote, bank, access health facilities, sign contracts and run businesses.Its success is partly down to early legal backing (laws were passed giving digital signatures validity), the creation of a secure data exchange layer which allows communication without centralisation and a high degree of user transparency, enabling users to see who has accessed their data and why.Swiss e-ID faces scrutiny over cost and controlThough such systems can make accessing facilities easier for many, some Swiss residents remain concerned about their online privacy and the possible surveillance issues arising from a government-run organisation.  Additionally, although ostensibly ‘voluntary’, there’s the chance e-ID could end up being the only way to access certain public services, making it essentially obligatory. In Switzerland’s case, this particular e-ID is also slated to be rather expensive, costing around CHF 180 million over five years. Some people wonder if this money could be better used. Conversely, if executed correctly, the e-ID could make accessing public services quicker and easier. And while security might be a concern, selective disclosure (SSI) will be in place, meaning users can choose what information to share and (to a degree) how it’s used.  What is the state of digital identity today?  This is one of the questions the panellists will be looking to cover in detail. What does ‘digital identity’ look like in 2025? How is it evolving and how has it changed since COVID 19? Pertinently, how much has AI influenced the concept, processes and future of digital identity – particularly in the EU?After introducing GDPR in 2018 to protect personal data, and the upcoming Data Act to support fair sharing of non-personal data, the EU’s next major step in regulating the digital world is the AI Act, set for 2026. This will be the first major regulator of AI in the world. How will businesses and consumers be affected by these developments? How can organisations balance consumer protection, security and privacy? An ever-present topic, the panellists will be discussing the nature of consumers’ security, privacy and protection. How do businesses strike a balance between increasing their security offerings without compromising consumer privacy? Expect the speakers to discuss the important nature of data protection and its management within businesses, as well as digging into the nature of regulatory frameworks and their impact on digital ID verification practices.  How trustworthy do consumers find digital tools and what can be done to improve this relationship? Consumers' digital literacy varies, and their trust in online services often rises or falls in line with that. We’ll be taking a look at how people consume online tools and the quality of the user experience. What impact does this have at a business level, and what role do governments and private sectors play in ensuring digital literacy and as a result, equitable access?  Meet the panellists:  Agnieszka Wyszyńska-Szulc - Vice President, Regulatory, Product & ESG Policy, Philip Morris International Agnieszka joined PHI back in 2004 as part of the Corporate Affairs Team in the Polish sector of PMI before moving on through various positions within the organisation. She attended Warsaw University where she obtained a Masters degree in Management and Administration and a postgraduate degree in Public Affairs. She also holds an Executive MBA from the Warsaw University of Technology Business School. Daniel Säuberli - President, DIDAS Daniel Säuberli is the President of Digital Identity and Data Sovereignty Association (DIDAS). His company’s goal is to bring the digital world to a broad range of industries and individuals so that they can easily exchange identity and related proprietary data electronically without compromising on  data ownership and privacy. DIDAS is currently working with the Swiss confederation to enhance the country’s digital trust infrastructure. Daniel studied at Harvard University and the Questrom School of Business, Boston University. Karim Nemr - Chief Business Officer, PXL Vision Karim Nemr has worked for PXL for more than eight years, leading the charge for a company dedicated to help improve digital safety, aid businesses through their digital transition and help make the online space more accessible for everyday users. He has previously worked at AI Lab and in project management at Dacuda AG. He is a guest lecturer at St Gallen University and trainer and coach at Venturelab.