Hackers uncover ‘significant’ flaw in Swiss Post e-voting
More than 3,000 hackers around the world are testing the e-voting system until March 24.
Keystone
A major bug has been identified in the new Swiss Post’s e-voting system. Hackers reported the flaw to Swiss authorities as part of a public intrusion test. Swiss Post has resolved the issue.
This content was published on
3 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jdp, urs
Español
es
Identificado el fallo en el sistema de votación electrónica
In mid-February, the Swiss government launched a public intrusion test, challenging IT experts to reveal cracks in the country’s new e-voting system by March 24. On March 12, a flaw concerning universal verifiabilityExternal link was discovered in the Swiss Post’s e-voting system by studying the system’s source code, which was released as part of the test. Universal verifiability makes it possible to determine with mathematical evidence whether votes have been manipulated.
While the flaw uncovered by the hackers does not allow the system to be penetrated, the Federal Chancellery still deemed it a “significant flaw” as it means it is not possible to detect whether the votes have been tampered with.
In a statement, the chancellery explained that the flaw means that “the Swiss Post system does not meet the legal requirements,” and it urged Swiss Post to review and improve its security processes to prevent such flaws.
The e-voting system currently being used in the cantons of Thurgau, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Basel-City is not affected by this gap in the source code. It exclusively affects the system with universal verifiability provided for the intrusion test, which has never been used for a real vote.
In a statement on its websiteExternal link, Swiss Post acknowledged that the error in the source code had already been identified in 2017. However, the correction was not fully implemented by technology partner Scytl, which Swiss Post regrets. “Swiss Post regrets this and has asked Scytl to make the correction in full immediately, which they have done. The modified source code will be applied with the next regular release.”
The public intrusion test of the Swiss Post e-voting system ordered by the Swiss government and the cantons has been running for just over two weeks now. More than 3,000 hackers around the world are testing the system until 24 March.
People’s initiative
Opponents of e-voting say the latest flaw has permanently undermined trust in online voting systems.
They announced that they will officially launch their people’s initiative next Friday, calling for a five-year moratorium on e-voting and an end to ongoing trials with the digital technology.
The committee made up of politicians and computer experts has 18 months to collect at least 100,000 signatures for a nationwide vote on the issue.
In January, the group presented its plans which involve winning pledges from 10,000 people to help collect the necessary signatures.
The Swiss government wants to introduce e-voting as an additional option for citizens to participate actively in democracy.
The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad has called for online voting to be made available for all expatriates Swiss by 2021. It submitted a petition last November.
More
More
Opposition against e-voting project gathers pace
This content was published on
A committee of politicians and IT experts launches an initiative aimed at banning online voting for at least five years in Switzerland.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Zurich laboratory finds intestinal bacteria in coffee machines
This content was published on
Last year, the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory found defects in one in four samples of milk drinks from coffee machines. Too many intestinal bacteria were found in a number of samples.
SWISS Belgrade-Zurich flight forced to land in Germany
This content was published on
Swiss flight LX1413 from Belgrade to Zurich had to make an unscheduled landing today in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany.
New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting
This content was published on
A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.
Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has brought charges against a Kosovar on suspicion of being the leader of the Swiss branch of a Kosovar terrorist organisation. He is also suspected of having been active in the management of the organisation in Kosovo.
Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage
This content was published on
The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.
Chihuahua leads Swiss rescue team to owner stuck in a crevasse
This content was published on
A Chihuahua helped to rescue a man on the Fee Glacier above Saas-Fee VS on Friday. It alerted a rescue team to its owner who had fallen into a crevasse.
Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States
This content was published on
According to a survey of managers, Swiss companies are increasingly turning away from the USA and orientating themselves more towards Southeast Asia and the EU. This is the result of a recent survey.
This content was published on
The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.
Flaw reported in Switzerland’s biggest e-voting system
This content was published on
A hacker claims to have discovered a weakness in canton Geneva’s e-voting system to attacks that could redirect online voters to malicious websites.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.