It now takes into account developments related to the new Federal Act on Electronic Identity and Other Electronic Credentials (BGEID), as well as the associated introduction of electronic identity verification (e-ID), the authority said in the letter published on Thursday.

The e-ID may now be used for the digital opening of customer relationships under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) to identify customers. In addition to further targeted adjustments, identification documents with a QR code (e.g. the Swiss driving licence) are treated on a par with those featuring an MRZ (Machine Readable Zone).

Liveness detection as an additional security feature

The rules now also provide for so-called “liveness detection” as an additional security feature in online identification. This is intended to address the rising risks associated with new technologies, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, digital procedures that reliably assign the contracting party and its infrastructure to a place of residence are now permitted for residence checks in the context of online identification.

The changes will take effect on 1 November, the authority said.