The Swiss Digital Initiative unveils the Digital Trust Label
With the "Digital Trust", the Swiss Digital Initiative is developing the world's first label for testing and certifying the trustworthiness of digital applications. The SDI is now displaying the label's seal for the first time. From 2022, this will allow users to recognise trustworthy digital applications at a glance.
Data leaks, cyberattacks, unethical practices by tech companies: the headlines just don't stop. Users feel insecure when dealing with digital applications. What happens with my data? Are automated decisions made without my knowledge? Transparency is missing and there are no possibilities to inform oneself in a simple way. Pragmatic and practical solutions are needed. The Swiss Digital Initiative (SDI) is now providing an answer with the world's first Digital Trust Label.
The Digital Trust Label signals trustworthiness
In clear, understandable language, the label shows the trustworthiness of a digital application. Compliance with standards is checked in four categories and creates trust among users thanks to transparency and reduced complexity. With the label, digital applications are tested on the basis of over 30 criteria. The criteria catalogue was created under the leadership of the EPFL and a dedicated Label Expert Committee, further developed thanks to feedback from public consultations and allows for independent testing and certification.
"Analogous to the organic label and a nutritional value table, the Digital Trust Label acts as a trust mark for the digital world," explains Doris Leuthard, President of the SDI Foundation Board. The label focuses on the users of digital applications and highlights the dimensions of security, data protection, reliability and user interaction. With its multi-level approach, it shows relevant information at first glance and offers interested parties more details.
Companies can send a clear signal
Thanks to the Digital Trust Label, anyone offering a digital application has the opportunity for the first time to have this application verified by a neutral body. Successful certification sends a clear signal to users that the provider guarantees reliable digital interaction. Such a signal is not only effective towards users, but also offers providers guidance in a rapidly changing regulatory environment. Registration for certification is now open to all organisations.
Digital Trust pioneers are Booking.com, Swisscom and Swiss Re. They were involved in the development of the label and are currently having selected digital applications certified. AXA, Credit Suisse, the Canton of Vaud and IBM Switzerland are also involved as development partners. The project was made possible by the support of the Mercator Switzerland Foundation.
White paper identifies industries that need to invest in Digital Trust
Together with the presentation of the Digital Trust Label, the first white paper on Digital Trust is published. It defines the framework within which digital trust can be discussed and classified. At the same time, industries are identified which will probably have to invest more in digital trust in the future. These are the healthcare sector, the public sector, the media sector, banking & insurance, HR and the education sector. Finally, ways are shown how digital trust can be achieved among users. Transparency is the first step and with the Digital Trust Label this is now even more possible for companies.
