Circular 2016/7 'Video and Online Identification' reflects FINMA's practice regarding the duty of care when establishing business relationships via digital channels. The present partial revision takes account in particular of developments related to the new Federal Act on Electronic Identity and Other Electronic Attestations (FEEIA) and the associated introduction of electronic identity (E-ID). In particular, the E-ID can be used for identification when digitally opening customer relationships under the AMLA. In addition to other minor adjustments, identification documents with a QR code (e.g. the Swiss driving licence) are placed on an equal footing with those with an MRZ (Machine Readable Zone).
A public consultation was conducted for the partial revision of the Circular. FINMA has taken account of several requests from the consultation and implemented them in the Circular. Specifically, Liveness Detection is now provided as an additional security element for online identification, in order to address the increasing risks associated with new technologies (in particular in the area of artificial intelligence). Furthermore, digital procedures that reliably assign the contracting party and its infrastructure to a residence are admitted for the residence check within the framework of online identification.
The amendments enter into force on 1 November 2026.
Source
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, 8 October 2026: FINMA adopts the partial revision of Circular 2016/7 'Video and Online Identification'. https://www.finma.ch/de/news/2026/10/20261008-mm-video-und-onlineid/