Switzerland to Revise Proposed Surveillance Law After Backlash from…

Sarah J · 2025-12-30T09:24:34.000Z

Switzerland has announced plans to revise a controversial proposed amendment to its surveillance law following strong opposition from the tech industry and privacy advocates. The change had sought to expand surveillance obligations, extending existing requirements beyond traditional telecom networks and internet service providers to include messaging apps, social media platforms and virtual private networks (VPNs), raising widespread concerns about secure encryption, online anonymity and digital privacy. The government’s reconsideration came after significant pushback from major Swiss technology firms, privacy-focused companies and political stakeholders, who warned that the proposed expansion could undermine user security and erode trust in digital services. Organisations such as Proton, NymVPN and Threema joined forces to challenge the draft proposal, rallying support across the political spectrum and highlighting the importance of robust privacy protections in Switzerland’s digital economy. On December 10, 2025, the Swiss Federal Parliament accepted a motion presented by Council of States member Johanna Gapany to revisit the draft amendment, effectively halting its immediate progress and opening the way for further review and public consultation. The revision process is expected to include an independent impact analysis before a new version of the proposal is drafted and subjected to broader stakeholder engagement. Despite this important step, some industry voices caution that the government’s willingness to impose broader surveillance measures has not fully changed, suggesting that future proposals will require careful negotiation to balance privacy rights with security objectives. Swiss privacy technology leaders have indicated their intention to continue advocating for policies that protect digital rights while allowing innovation in secure technology services. #StartupEuropeIndiaNetwork #India #Tech #MarketExpansion #Science #AI #Infrastructure #Switzerland #DigitalPrivacy #SurveillanceLaw #TechPolicy #CyberSecurity #Encryption #PrivacyTech #DataProtection #Innovation

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Switzerland to Revise Proposed Surveillance Law After Backlash from… | SEINET