Data protection has an international dimension. Cross-border data flows are becoming increasingly important, particularly in view of the spread of digitalisation. It is important that these exchanges of data do not take place at the expense of the protection of privacy and other fundamental rights.
The provisions in the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP), the Data Protection Ordinance (DPO) and the Data Protection Certification Ordinance (DPCO) enable Switzerland to guarantee a high level of data protection towards its international partners. The legislation was recently revised to strengthen data protection in response to the rapid development of new technologies and to take account of international developments in this field, in particular the reforms carried out by the European Union and the Council of Europe.
Switzerland is also a signatory to various (legally binding and non-legally binding) instruments designed to strengthen data protection at an international level.
Last modification 11.07.2023
