Switzerland is thinking about changing its digital surveillance laws, and privacy experts are worried. The new rules could force VPN companies and secure messaging services to track their users and give up private information if requested.
At the center of the issue is a proposed change that would expand government powers over online services like email platforms, messaging apps, VPNs, and even social media sites. These services could soon be required to collect and store personal details about their users and hand over encrypted data when asked.
This move has sparked concern among privacy-focused companies that operate out of Switzerland. If the law is approved, it could prevent them from offering the same level of privacy they are known for.
What Could the New Rules Mean?
The suggested law says that if a digital service has over 5,000 users, it must collect and verify users’ identities and store that information for half a year after they stop using the service. This would affect many platforms, even small ones run by individuals or non-profits.
Another part of the law would give authorities the power to access encrypted messages, but only if the company has the key needed to unlock them. This could break the trust users have in these services, especially those who rely on privacy for safety or security.
Why VPN Providers Are Speaking Out
VPN services are designed to hide user activity and protect data from being tracked. They usually don’t keep any records that could identify a user. But if Swiss law requires them to log personal data, that goes against the very idea of privacy that VPNs are built on.
Swiss companies like Proton VPN, Threema, and NymVPN are all worried. They say the law could damage Switzerland’s reputation as a country that supports privacy and secure digital tools.
NymVPN’s Warning
NymVPN, a newer VPN service backed by privacy activist Chelsea Manning, has raised strong objections. Alexis Roussel, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, explained that the new rules would not only hurt businesses but could also put users in danger—especially people in sensitive roles, like journalists or activists.
Roussel added that this law may try to go around earlier court rulings that protected privacy rights, which could hurt Switzerland’s fast-growing privacy tech industry.
What People Can Do
Swiss citizens have time to give feedback on the proposal until May 6, 2025. NymVPN is encouraging people to spread the word, take part in the consultation process, and contact government officials to share their concerns. They’re also warning people in other countries to stay alert in case similar ideas start appearing elsewhere.
