Swiss intelligence conducts blanket monitoring of internet and telecom traffic, leaving professionals unprotected
Swiss intelligence agencies are intercepting all internet and telecommunications data crossing the country, a practice that offers no protection for journalists, lawyers or doctors.
The federal intelligence law defines the activity as indiscriminate observation of data flows to and from abroad using keyword filters. Authorities claim the goal is to identify threats before they reach Switzerland. Critics warn that journalists, lawyers and medical professionals are especially exposed under such sweeping surveillance, and no specific safeguards have been announced for them.
Why it matters
It shows how state surveillance can erode the confidentiality essential to journalists, lawyers and doctors.
In this story
mass surveillanceSwitzerlandintelligenceinternet traffictelecommunicationsjournalistslawyersdoctorsprivacy
