The Swiss NGOs are concerned that the state and the private sector could use biometric face recognition devices and video cameras for a systematic 24/7 surveillance of the public space.
Keystone/Jockel Finck
Civil society groups have called for a ban on automatic face recognition devices and video surveillance technology in Switzerland.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/ug
Español
es
Temen vigilancia sistemática de espacio público en Suiza
“It ignores a massive infringement of basic rights of the whole population,” a joint statement said on Thursday.
The groups said there is a real risk that the use of the surveillance technology will spread fast across Europe and that the Swiss authorities will soon approve the legal basis in the country.
Some police forces already apply the controversial face recognition tools, the NGOs claim.
“This is a worrying step towards a comprehensive and permanent system of mass surveillance. The target are not only criminals but the entire population,” said Erik Schönenberger of the Digital SocietyExternal link.
The installation of video cameras in public places continues to be a hotly debated issue. Supporters of the technology argue electronic surveillance can help ensure security.
Report finds serious security flaws in Swiss hospital information systems
This content was published on
The IT systems of several Swiss hospitals suffer from serious security flaws, according to the National Testing Institute for Cybersecurity (NTC).
Cost of leisure activities rises dramatically in Switzerland
This content was published on
The Swiss paid more for leisure activities in December. Prices for vacation apartments, package tours and cable cars rose significantly.
New Swiss epidemic surveillance centre inaugurated
This content was published on
The Centre for Pathogen Bioinformatics was inaugurated in Bern on Thursday. It aims to improve epidemics monitoring in Switzerland using genomic data.
This content was published on
Switzerland, as a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), signed a free trade agreement with Thailand during WEF.
This content was published on
The federal audit office has criticised the Swiss government for poor planning of the procurement of six drones from an Israeli supplier.
Hack on US security-camera company sparks Swiss police raid
This content was published on
Swiss authorities confirmed a police raid on a Swiss hacker who broke into a US security-camera company’s online networks.
Government increases video surveillance in asylum centres
This content was published on
Video surveillance will be expanded in federal asylum centres over the coming months. Not everyone agrees that this will improve security, however.
Parliament rejects video surveillance for slaughterhouses
This content was published on
Wednesday’s decision came in response to accusations of animal rights organisations of abuses in Swiss abattoirs. Social Democrat Senator Daniel Jositsch had presented a proposal based on an inspection of 67 slaughterhouses between January 2018 and March 2019. That review concluded that the control of stunning and bleeding was either not carried out or incorrectly…
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.