Guidance on use of cookies and similar online tracking technologies

On 31 March 2026, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) published guidance on the use of cookies and similar online tracking technologies. The guidance applies to website operators and data controllers deploying such technologies, as well as to internet users interacting with Swiss-based services. The guidance highlighted that under the Telecommunications Act and the Federal Act on Data Protection, operators must inform users of non-essential cookie use and provide ...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

31 MAR 2026 · Other

Swiss Competition Commission monitoring AI antitrust developments

Bern, 31.03.2026 — Der wirksame Schutz des Wettbewerbs erfordert das beständige Beobachten der Entwicklungen im Bereich der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI). Bestehen Anzeichen für Behinderungsstrategien marktbeherrschender Unternehmen oder für algorithmische Absprachen, wird die WEKO diese Fälle aufgreifen.

Official materialAntitrust & CompetitionOfficial source · weko.admin.ch ↗

25 MAR 2026 · Standard / Framework

Guidelines on connected wearable devices focusing on data protection requirements

On 25 March 2026, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner adopted a guideline on the privacy risks and responsible use of connected wearable devices. It applies to manufacturers, digital service providers, and users processing personal data. It highlights that such devices collect sensitive data, including health and behavioural information, and may process third-party data through cameras and microphones. It requires compliance with data protection by design, transparency, c...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

25 MAR 2026 · Other

Federal Chancellery calls for tenders for the procurement of IT services in the field of data and AI

Bern, 25.03.2026 — The Federal Chancellery is launching a tender procedure for the procurement of IT services in the field of data and artificial intelligence, worth CHF 57 million. The call for tenders has been published on the public procurement platform simap.ch.

Official materialPublic Sector & GovernanceOfficial source · star.admin.ch ↗

23 FEB 2026 · International Agreement

Data Protection Authorities adopt joint statement on AI generated imagery raising concerns on defamatory content and harm to vulnerable groups

Primary source (ico.org.uk) dated 23 February 2026 in CH. See linked source for full text.

Primary legal sourceData Privacy & ProtectionOfficial source · ico.org.uk ↗

16 FEB 2026 · Law / Act

Switzerland Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines

The Swiss Federal Council closed its consultation on the Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines, enabling research bodies and civil society organisations to apply for data access, empowering BAKOM to supervise compliance, requiring internal complaint procedures, mandating content reporting mechanisms, requiring search engine advertising labels, and requiring providers to establish a Swiss legal representative.

Primary legal sourceContent Moderation ·Data Privacy & Protection ·Consumer ProtectionOfficial source · cms.news.admin.ch ↗

03 FEB 2026 · Other

Swiss Federal Chancellery publishes federal popular initiative "For the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Democracy in the Digital Space (Internet Initiative)"

DE: Vielen Dank, dass Sie sie die Website des Bundesrechts aufgerufen haben; sie ist nur mit einem Javascript-fähigen Browser verfügbar.

Official materialOnline Safety & Child ProtectionOfficial source · fedlex.admin.ch ↗

02 DEC 2025 · International Agreement

Switzerland to ratify Council of Europe Convention

Bern, 12.2.2025 - Switzerland intends to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to make the necessary amendments to Swiss law. Work will also continue on the regulation of AI in specific sectors such as healthcare and transport. The Federal Council spoke out in favour of this approach at its meeting on 12 February.

Primary legal sourceData Privacy & Protection ·Health & Life SciencesOfficial source · admin.ch ↗

02 DEC 2025 · Other

Switzerland considers how to regulate AI

Primary source (bakom.admin.ch) dated 12 February 2025 in CH. See linked source for full text.

Official materialGenerative AI ·Data Privacy & ProtectionOfficial source · bakom.admin.ch ↗

26 NOV 2025 · Working Paper

Assessment of digital sovereignty of Switzerland

On 26 November 2025, the Swiss Federal Council issued the report on the digital sovereignty of Switzerland. The report was commissioned following a request from the Council of States for the Federal Council to provide a definition of digital sovereignty for the Swiss context. In the report, the Federal Council defines digital sovereignty as the state's capacity to control and act in the digital space in order to fulfil its public functions. The report evaluates current measures related to dig...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · cms.news.admin.ch ↗

11 NOV 2025 · Law / Act

Motion to amend Copyright Act on protecting copyrighted content used by AI providers (Motion 24.4596)

On 11 December 2025, the Council of States adopted the amended Motion 24.4596 after the National Council passed the Motion in its amended form on 16 September 2025. The Motion instructs the Federal Council to create the necessary legal conditions to ensure that journalistic content and other works protected under copyright law receive comprehensive protection when used by artificial intelligence providers. The Motion requires clarification in the Copyright Act (URG) that copyright holders’ co...

Secondary evidenceIntellectual PropertyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

02 NOV 2025 · Law / Act

Paris Charter on AI signed

To achieve the potential benefits and preventing and mitigating the risks of emerging technologies for people and the planet, AI development, deployment and governance must be in the public interest. Public interest manifests differently for different communities, countries, and contexts, it requires opportunities for public participation, and it must serve equity and equality. We acknowledge that the mission and vision of artificial intelligence in the public interest builds on and is strengthened by existing definitions and academic research, public sector approaches, and civil society effor

Primary legal sourceData Privacy & ProtectionOfficial source · elysee.fr ↗

01 OCT 2025 · Law / Act

Amendment to Information Security Act including cybersecurity breach reporting obligation

On 1 October 2025, the enforcement of fines under the amended Information Security Act begins. Since 1 April 2025, operators including cloud computing providers, search engines, digital security and trust services, and data centres in Switzerland have been required to report cyber-attacks within 24 hours of discovery via the Federal Office for Cyber Security (BACS) platform. During the initial six-month period, reporting was mandatory but not subject to penalties. With the introduction of fin...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · admin.ch ↗

18 SEP 2025 · International Agreement

Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissione and UK Information Commissioner Memorandum of Understanding on data protection cooperation

On 18 September 2025, the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) of the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Seoul for the facilitation of international cooperation in the field of data protection. The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in areas such as the exchange of best practices, joint research projects, collaboration in international fora, and potential joint investigations into ...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

08 SEP 2025 · Policy / Guidance

cms.news.admin.ch source on AI governance

Official source record dated 9 August 2025 for Switzerland concerning Proposed federal AI coordination office in Federal Council's priorities for 2026. See the linked cms.news.admin.ch source for the authoritative text, procedural context, and implementation details.

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · cms.news.admin.ch ↗

20 AUG 2025 · Law / Act

Bill on cyber resilience of digital products

On 20 August 2025, the Swiss Federal Council mandated the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), together with the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), to draft legislation aimed at strengthening the cyber resilience of digital products in line with Motion 24.3810 of the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States. The drafting was ass...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · news.admin.ch ↗

09 AUG 2025 · Standard / Framework

Framework on secondary data use in Federal Council's priorities for 2026

Official source record dated 2025-08-09 for Switzerland concerning Framework on secondary data use in Federal Council's priorities for 2026. See the linked cms.news.admin.ch source for the authoritative text, procedural context, and implementation details.

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · cms.news.admin.ch ↗

09 AUG 2025 · Policy / Guidance

cms.news.admin.ch source on AI governance

Official source record dated 8 September 2025 for Switzerland concerning Federal Council announces priorities for 2026, including a proposed federal AI coordination office. See the linked cms.news.admin.ch source for the authoritative text, procedural context, and implementation details.

Official materialData Privacy & Protection ·CybersecurityOfficial source · cms.news.admin.ch ↗

05 AUG 2025 · Law / Act

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner's guidance on applicability of data protection law to artificial intelligence

On 8 May 2025, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) of Switzerland released guidance affirming that the current Data Protection Act (DPA), effective since 1 September 2023, is directly applicable to data processing operations involving artificial intelligence (AI). The guidance was issued following Switzerland's signing of the Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in March 2025. The FDPIC noted that the DPA, formulated in a techno...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

05 AUG 2025 · Law / Act

FDPIC releases guidance on applicability of data protection law to AI

En Suisse aussi, l’intelligence artificielle (IA) investit de plus en plus la vie économique et sociale de la population. Dans ce contexte, le PFPDT rappelle que la loi sur la protection des données en vigueur depuis le 1 er septembre 2023 est directement applicable aux traitements de données basés sur l’IA.

Primary legal sourceData Privacy & ProtectionOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

26 JUN 2025 · Court Case

Swiss Federal Administrative Court source on AI governance

Official source record dated 26 June 2025 for Switzerland concerning Swiss federal court rules only natural persons can be named inventors. See the linked bvger.ch source for the authoritative text, procedural context, and implementation details.

Secondary evidenceCopyright & IpIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

26 JUN 2025 · Court Case

Swiss Federal Administrative Court source on artificial intelligence governance

Official source record dated 26 June 2025 for Switzerland concerning Swiss Federal Administrative Court issued ruling in inventor designation for Artificial Intelligence -generated patent invention (Stephen L. Thaler v Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property) (No. B-2532/2024). See the linked bvger.ch source for the authoritative text, procedural context, and implementation details.

Secondary evidenceCopyrightIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

10 JUN 2025 · Standard / Framework

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner guidelines on data processing using cookies and similar technologies (Version 1.1)

On 6 October 2025, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) released version 1.1 of the guidelines on data processing using cookies and similar technologies, updating the first finalised version of 22 January 2025. The revised guidelines introduce several additions and clarifications, including an expanded footnote 5, a new sentence in section 3.1.2 on personal identifiability through cookies, and a clarification in the final sentence of section 3.2.2 regarding data co...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

06 JUN 2025 · Executive Order

Decree on the introduction of the Automatic Exchange of Information on crypto-assets with the relevant partner countries from 2026

On 6 June 2025, the Federal Council adopted the Decree on the introduction of the Automatic Exchange of Information on crypto-assets with the relevant partner countries from 2026. The Decree approves the list of 74 partner states for the international automatic exchange of information concerning cryptoassets (AEOI). The list of 74 countries includes all European Union member states, the United Kingdom, and most G20 countries, excluding the USA and Saudi Arabia. The exchange of information wil...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · news.admin.ch ↗

02 JUN 2025 · Standard / Framework

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner guidelines on reporting data security breaches

On 6 February 2025, the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) adopted guidelines outlining the requirements for reporting data security breaches. These guidelines specify the legal obligations for data controllers to notify the FDPIC of breaches that pose a likely high risk to the personality or fundamental rights of data subjects, as defined under Article 24 of the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP). Controllers must report data security breaches to the FDPIC ...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

06 MAY 2025 · Executive Order

Government access to data requirement in Federal Council Amended Ordinance on Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Correspondence

On 6 May 2025, the Swiss Federal Council closes consultation on the amended ordinance on the surveillance of postal and telecommunications correspondence. The amendment proposes measures to update information provision, network surveillance, and oversight of infrastructure providers in the internet and telecommunications sector. It sets out new obligations and classifications for telecommunications service providers (TSPs) and derived communications service providers (DSSs). TSPs with full ob...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · newsd.admin.ch ↗

27 MAR 2025 · National Strategy

Switzerland signs Council of Europe's AI Convention

Primary source (uvek.admin.ch) dated 27 March 2025 in CH. See linked source for full text.

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · uvek.admin.ch ↗

20 MAR 2025 · Other

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner investigation into X's use of personal data for training AI Grok

On 20 March 2025, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) concluded its preliminary investigation into X, formerly Twitter, concerning the utilisation of personal data from Platform X for training its artificial intelligence system, Grok. Following reports in early summer 2024 about the data processing practices, the investigation aimed to assess the transparency of these operations and the opt-out options for users. During this formal enquiry, X designated a local re...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

20 MAR 2025 · Other

FDPIC concludes preliminary investigation into X

The FDPIC concludes his preliminary investigation into the use of personal data for training the artificial intelligence (AI) Grok. Users of Platform X can object to their public posts being used to train AI.

Official materialData Privacy & Protection ·Generative AIOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

07 MAR 2025 · Executive Order

Federal Council Decree on Implementation of the Amendment to Federal Act on Information Security

On 7 March 2025, the Federal Council adopted the Decree on the Implementation of the Amendment to the Federal Act on Information Security. The decree enforces the reporting obligation for cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, introduced in the 2023 amendments to the Information Security Act. The obligation takes effect on 1 April 2025, following the amendment’s adoption on 29 September 2023. The requirement applies to critical infrastructure operators, including providers of cloud computi...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · admin.ch ↗

22 JAN 2025 · Other

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner guide on data processing through cookies

On 22 January 2025, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner adopted the guide on data processing through cookies. The guide applies to website operators using cookies for non-essential purposes including personalisation and advertising. The guide highlights the principle of transparency, requiring operators to inform users about data collection and processing. It also requires operators to obtain explicit, voluntary, and revocable consent, particularly for high-risk data acti...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · backend.edoeb.admin.ch ↗

20 DEC 2024 · Other

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner investigation into potential data protection violations by Concevis SA

On 20 December 2024, the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) concluded its informal preliminary investigation on data protection violations into Concevis SA, initiated due to a ransomware attack in November 2023. The FDPIC determined that a formal investigation was not necessary as no serious breaches were found. However, the FDPIC highlighted the need for clearer data processing agreements, emphasising that contracts between federal offices and service provider...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

18 DEC 2024 · Policy / Guidance

FINMA inquiry on AI governance and risk management

On 18 December 2024, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) concluded its inquiry with the publication of Supervisory Notice 08/2024, focusing on governance and risk management in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Swiss financial market. This inquiry, part of FINMA's ongoing supervisory activities, aimed to address the increasing use of AI in the financial market and the associated operational, IT, cyber, legal, and reputational risks. The notice outlines the ob...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

13 DEC 2024 · National Strategy

Switzerland adopts digital strategy 2025

Primary source (digital.swiss) dated 13 December 2024 in CH. See linked source for full text.

Secondary evidenceData Privacy & Protection ·Online Safety & Child ProtectionIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

28 OCT 2024 · Other

Global data protection authorities issue statement on data scraping, covering AI

This Concluding Statement builds on the Joint statement on data scraping and the protection of privacy (the Initial Statement), published August 24, 2023, which highlighted the following key messages:

Official materialData Privacy & Protection ·Generative AI ·CybersecurityOfficial source · priv.gc.ca ↗

14 OCT 2024 · International Agreement

Switzerland-UK Free Trade Agreement

On 14 October 2024, the United Kingdom announced the commencement of negotiations for a renewed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Switzerland. The FTA aims to update the existing trade relationship between the countries by expanding their commitments regarding trade in services, goods, intellectual property rights, investment flows, and digital trade and data protection. The current United Kingdom-Switzerland trade agreement does not cover digital trade or cross-border data transfers.

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · gov.uk ↗

21 JUN 2024 · Other

Swiss privacy regulator issues statement on the usage of data by Meta for AI training

Primary source (edoeb.admin.ch) dated 21 June 2024 in CH. See linked source for full text.

Official materialData Privacy & Protection ·Copyright & IpOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

15 MAY 2024 · Court Case

Lawsuit concerning use of evidence from chat monitoring on Instagram

On 15 May 2024, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled that evidence from chat monitoring on Instagram is admissible in criminal proceedings. The name and details of the complainant were kept anonymous. The ruling highlighted that Instagram users give valid consent to data monitoring by agreeing to the platform's terms of use and privacy policies, which sufficiently inform them of the data collection practices. The ruling also clarified that personal data, including IP addresses and phone numb...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

11 APR 2024 · Other

FDPIC investigation into Ricardo SA for alleged failure to obtain valid consent for data processing

On 11 April 2024, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) issued a ruling in its investigation into the auction platform Ricardo for failure to obtain valid consent for data processing. The investigation was initiated in 2017 into Ricardo over alleged failure to obtain valid consent for data processing, including analysis of data entry and personalised advertising display. The investigation also focused on data transmission to TX Group. FDPIC highlighted that persona...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗

23 JAN 2024 · Other

Guide to Technical and Organisational Data Protection Measures (TOM)

On 23 January 2024, the Swiss Data Protection Authority adopted the revised Guide to Technical and Organisational Data Protection Measures (TOM). The guide provides an overview of the risks and solutions associated with data protection in today's information systems. It outlines potential technical and organisational measures such as encryption, anonymisation, and authentication. It covers several aspects of data protection, including processing obligations and data subject rights. The guidel...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · edoeb.admin.ch ↗