Current position
Overview
No AI-specific legislation has been enacted or formally tabled.
Switzerland is a signatory to the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI.
In February 2025, the Federal Council presented a plan for a mixed approach combining binding and non-binding measures.
The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), together with DETEC and the FDFA, is to prepare a consultation draft by end of 2026 that would implement the CoE Framework Convention through legislation in the areas of transparency, data protection, non-discrimination and supervision. DETEC, together with FDJP, FDFA and EAER, will also draw up an implementation plan for non-legislative measures by end of 2026, taking account of compatibility with Switzerland's main trading partners. No bill has been formally tabled.
Key legislation & sources
BAKOM — AI Policy Page
Federal Council AI Plan (February 2025)
Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI
Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI (CETS 225)
Regulatory developments
Latest updates
Latest event import:
Updates sourced from Digital Policy Alert ↗. The latest available entries for this jurisdiction.
drafting
Council of States adopted amended motion tasking Federal Council with drafting amendments to Copyright Act to strengthen protection of intellectual property against AI misuse (Motion 24.4596)
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
On 11 December 2025, the Council of States adopted the amended Motion 24.4596 after the National Council passed the Motion in its amended form on 16 September 2025. The Motion instructs the Federal Council to create the necessary legal conditions to ensure that journalistic content and other works protected under copyright law receive comprehensive protection when used by artificial intelligence providers. The Motion requires clarification in the Copyright Act (URG) that copyright holders’ consent is necessary when creative works are processed or reused for generative AI services, and that exceptions or limitations under copyright law cannot be invoked by such providers. The amended text further mandates that protection be designed without weakening Switzerland’s position in AI research, development, and commercialisation, ensuring compatibility with international frameworks. The Federal Council supports the Motion and is tasked with drafting implementation measures.
law
Federal Council opened consultation on Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines including fair marketing and advertising practice requirement
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
On 29 October 2025, the Federal Council opened a consultation on the Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines, which includes fair marketing and advertising practice requirements, until 16 February 2026. The Law would apply to search engine providers and user-generated content platforms whose services are used by at least 10% of the Swiss population within a six-month period. The Law would require that search engine providers and user-generated content platforms clearly label paid advertising and provide users with easy access to parameters determining advertisement display. It would also require the establishment of a publicly accessible and searchable advertising archive, excluding unlawful or incompatible content, and maintaining retrieved advertising for one year after its last display. Providers would also be required to publish the main parameters of recommendation systems and provide at least one recommendation system not based on profiling.
law
Federal Council opened consultation on Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines including local operations requirement
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
On 29 October 2025, the Federal Council opened a consultation on the Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines until 16 February 2026. The Law would apply to search engine providers and user-generated content platforms whose services are used by at least 10 % of the Swiss population within a six-month period. The Law would require providers to establish a designated contact point by which users and the Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM) can quickly reach them electronically in an official language. Furthermore, providers who are not domiciled in Switzerland would need to designate a Swiss legal representative. Providers must publish this contact information, keep it current, and ensure it is easily accessible. Further, providers would be required to submit an annual transparency report to BAKOM specifying the number of average monthly Swiss users over a six-month period, employed automatic and non-automatic content moderation measures, quality assurance measures in content moderation, as well as the number of user reports of unlawful content, restrictive measures taken against user content, internal complaints procedures, and dispute resolution processes, to be updated biannually. Providers would also be obligated to conduct an annual risk assessment on systemic risks created or amplified by search engines or communications platforms, including the dissemination of unlawful content, adverse effects on users' fundamental rights, and negative consequences on public opinion formation, elections, public security and order, and public health. Providers would also be required to undergo an annual audit regarding their compliance with requirements under the Law.
law
Federal Council opened consultation on Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines including content moderation regulation
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
On 29 October 2025, the Federal Council opened a consultation on the draft Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines, which includes content moderation regulation, until 16 February 2026. The Law would apply to search engine providers and user-generated content platforms whose services are used by at least 10% of the Swiss population within a six-month period. The draft Law mandates that providers establish a procedure for users to report content they believe to be unlawful, covering offenses such as depictions of violence, defamation, threats, discrimination, and incitement to hatred. Providers must process these reports, decide on actions in a timely manner, and promptly inform reporting users of their decisions. Additionally, if providers take restrictive measures, such as content removal, visibility restriction, account suspension, or deletion, they must notify the affected user, unless the measure concerns misleading commercial content or user contact details are unknown. Providers must clearly explain in their terms and conditions which user content may face restrictions and how such measures are applied. They are required to include details on reporting procedures, handling of reports, and internal complaint mechanisms, all written in simple German, French, and Italian. Significant changes to terms must be communicated appropriately, and both the full terms and a summary must be publicly accessible. When applying restrictive measures or conducting related procedures, providers must act carefully, fairly, and without discrimination. Procedures should be user-friendly, available electronically, and understandable in a language chosen by the affected user. Notifications of decisions must explain the specific reasons, indicate if automated tools were used, and inform users about their right to lodge complaints internally or through out-of-court dispute resolution.
law
Federal Council opened consultation on Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines including content moderation authority governance
Source: Digital Policy Alert · View update ↗
On 29 October 2025, the Federal Council opened a consultation on the Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines, which includes content moderation authority governance, until 16 February 2026. The Law would apply to search engine providers and user-generated content platforms whose services are used by at least 10% of the Swiss population within a six-month period. The draft law empowers the Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM) to supervise compliance, requiring providers to supply information and data for oversight. BAKOM identifies which platforms fall under the law, publishes a list of supervised providers, and charges fees and an annual supervisory fee based on administrative costs and provider size, capped at 0.05% of worldwide profit. The BAKOM may require providers to remedy violations and, if necessary, order service restrictions, which can be renewed until resolved. It can impose administrative sanctions of up to 6% of worldwide turnover for serious breaches and lower amounts for less severe violations, considering severity, prior breaches, and financial circumstances. Sanction authority expires after seven years for major violations and four years for others. The Federal Council issues implementing provisions, while BAKOM informs the public of its activities without disclosing confidential business information. BAKOM may process data of legal persons and personal data, including sensitive data, to perform supervisory, evaluation, and reporting tasks. The Federal Council may conclude international agreements or delegate technical agreements to BAKOM. Finally, the Federal Council will review the Act’s effectiveness within five years, report to the Federal Assembly, and determine its entry into force.
Showing 5 of 18 available API entries. Dates and summaries are supplied by Digital Policy Alert.