Federal Council plans new law for communication platforms and search engines
With a new law, the Federal Council wants to regulate large communication services such as Facebook, Google, TikTok and X more strictly. The aim is to create more transparency and fairness and to strengthen users' rights. The consultation on the bill will run until February 16, 2026.
Today, the digital space is largely controlled by a few global platforms. Companies such as Meta, Alphabet, TikTok and X operate central communication infrastructures according to their own rules. These corporations not only influence what content is visible, but also how public communication and opinion-forming take place. The Federal Council sees this as a growing risk for democratic debate in Switzerland and wants to counteract this with the new law.
Protection of users and constitutional procedures
The core of the regulation is a binding reporting procedure for illegal content. Platforms must enable users to report suspected criminal content such as defamation, abuse or hate speech in an uncomplicated manner. At the same time, providers must justify their moderation decisions in a comprehensible manner, inform those affected and provide internal complaints procedures. Out-of-court dispute resolution should serve as an additional protective measure in cases of conflict.
Transparency in advertising and algorithms
In addition to content management, the law also targets the economic and algorithmic power of platforms. It provides for new transparency obligations regarding the labeling of advertising, the use of recommendation systems and the establishment of publicly accessible advertising archives. Authorities and research institutions are to be given access to relevant platform data in future. A step that is not only important in terms of democratic policy, but also in terms of location strategy.
Legal representation in Switzerland becomes mandatory
Another point strengthens legal enforcement. Foreign providers without a branch in Switzerland must appoint a legal representative in Switzerland. The draft law thus creates an effective means of obliging global companies to comply with national standards. A measure that creates legal clarity and positions Switzerland as a digital location capable of regulatory action.
Targeted regulation instead of overregulation
The law is explicitly aimed at very large platforms only. Defined as services with a monthly reach of at least ten percent of the permanent resident population, i.e. around 900,000 users. This keeps the law focused and proportional without burdening smaller providers or start-ups.
Consultation and open questions
The consultation will run until February 16, 2026. Authorities, associations, companies and other interested parties are invited to participate. Particular attention is being paid to feedback on the planned provisions for the protection of minors and the specific structure of the notification procedure.
A signal for digital location competition
With the new law, Switzerland is positioning itself in international location competition as a country with clear and fair rules in the digital space. This creates new framework conditions for investors, platform operators and digital business models. Anyone wishing to tap into the Swiss market must focus on transparency, accountability and user rights in future. A decisive step towards a responsible digital ecosystem.