Law enforcement was authorised to employ more electronic surveillance in 2020 than in 2019.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Swiss law enforcement agencies were granted 9,085 warrants to conduct covert electronic surveillance on suspected criminals last year – up from 8,666 operations in 2019.
There was a rise in the number of retrospective surveillance approvals (finding out who called who and for how long) and a decrease in real time monitoring of phone calls and online exchanges by the Federal Intelligence Service and other law enforcement bodies.
The use of so-called GovWare state-controlled monitoring software, which was authorised in Switzerland in 2018, continued last year (107 cases) at about the same pace as in 2019 (103).
Just over half of all surveillance measures were aimed at solving serious property crimes, 20% concerned serious drugs offences and around 9% were employed in investigating criminal acts that endangered lives.
Law enforcement agencies must apply to a court for a warrant to conduct such surveillance. The intelligence service needs further approval from the ministry for defence and civil protection, which it only gives after consulting with other government ministries.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
This content was published on
Wine consumption in Switzerland fell by almost 8% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Swiss wines are particularly affected by the decline.
Jackie Chan to be honoured for life’s work at Locarno Film Festival
This content was published on
Martial artist Jackie Chan will receive an Honorary Leopard, a lifetime achievement award, from the Locarno Film Festival in southern Switzerland in August.
Novartis raises forecast again after strong Q1 results
This content was published on
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has continued the strong pace of growth of recent quarters in the first three months of 2025.
Swiss canton holds first general meeting on winegrowing
This content was published on
More than 250 professionals attended the first general meeting of the Valais wine industry on Monday in Conthey, western Switzerland.
Greater transparency called for in Swiss use of medical imaging
This content was published on
More and more scans, ultrasounds and MRIs: doctors are increasingly prescribing medical imaging tests, particularly in the French-speaking cantons.
Renewal of war in Gaza has ‘unleashed a new hell’, says Red Cross
This content was published on
The resumption of the war in Gaza has unleashed a new hell in the Palestinian territory, the director of the Geneva-based ICRC has warned.
Lufthansa set to abolish in-flight sales, SWISS to keep them
This content was published on
Perfumes, cigarettes, sunglasses: The German airline Lufthansa will no longer sell these products on long-haul flights in future. Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss is sticking to in-flight sales for the time being.
This content was published on
After a short break due to the cool weather, grass pollen is now flying in Switzerland, the Swiss Allergy Centre said on Monday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss authorities resort to use of spyware for the first time
This content was published on
The annual report on Swiss surveillance operations in 2019 mentions the use of state-controlled monitoring software, known as GovWare.
This content was published on
US Justice Department has charged a Swiss hacker with computer intrusion and identity theft, a week after a house raid by the Swiss police.
Digitalisation and surveillance at work: is your boss spying on you?
This content was published on
The increasing use of employee surveillance technology is causing concern in Switzerland, where the legal system is not set up to deal with it.
Terror threat remains high in Switzerland, warns Federal Intelligence Service
This content was published on
Terrorist attacks inspired by the Islamic State group remain likely in Europe, with Switzerland not invulnerable to such threats, a new report states.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.