Canton of Neuchâtel enshrines digital integrity in the constitution

In a significant step for the rights of citizens, the right to digital integrity is now officially enshrined in the cantonal constitution of the canton of Neuchâtel. In the vote on 24 November 2024, voters had the opportunity to decide on this groundbreaking amendment in addition to the national proposals.

The constitutional amendment aims to protect fundamental rights in the digital space. According to the new Article 10a on digital integrity:

1. Digital integrity guaranteed.
2. It includes the right to:
   • Protection against improper data processing
   • Security in the digital space
   • an offline life so that the state cannot impose digital relationships
   • being forgotten.
3. The state promotes digital integration and raises public awareness of the challenges of digitalisation - and is committed to Switzerland's digital sovereignty.

With this initiative, the canton of Neuchâtel is leading the way in protecting the digital rights of its citizens. The idea of creating a right to an offline life ensures that people cannot be forced to live exclusively in the digital world. The canton is also committed to providing access to human contact persons in the administration.

"Friends of the Constitution" congratulates you on this ground-breaking change in the constitution. It is time for these crucial issues to be discussed nationally in order to promote similar progress in other regions of Switzerland.