Federal Council plans stronger online protections for minors

Switzerland’s Federal Council wants to strengthen online protections for minors under a proposed law covering very large communication platforms and search engines, including AI search engines, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reports.

The draft Communication Platforms and Search Engines Act is intended to strengthen users’ rights. The Federal Council is keeping the proposal after a public consultation, while adding measures to improve child protection online.

The draft received broad support. A majority of parties represented in the Federal Assembly, cantons, national umbrella associations and organisations backed it. Respondents also called for the reporting procedure to cover all content suspected of being unlawful.

The proposed measures aim to make major online services safer for minors while recognising their right to participate in public debate.

The Federal Council has tasked UVEK with preparing a government bill by June 2027, taking the consultation results into account.