{"id":3222,"date":"2025-06-20T11:27:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T09:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/ueberwachung-im-internet\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T10:41:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T08:41:52","slug":"ueberwachung-im-internet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/ueberwachung-im-internet\/","title":{"rendered":"Surveillance on the Internet: Who can the authorities put under surveillance and when?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n<section id=\"res-cat-date-block_a1cf63676623958d9a00a975afa827cd\" class=\"res-block res-cat-date py-2\" style=\"background: transparent;\">\r\n\t<div class=\"inner-container container-off\" data-aos=\"res-fadeIn\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\"the_category_content\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"the_category\"><ul class=\"post-categories\">\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/story\/init7-en\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Init7<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/story\/market-politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Market &amp; Politics<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/story\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div> <span class=\"d-none d-sm-block\">|<\/span> <div class=\"the_date\">20.06.2025<\/div><div class=\"the_change_date ml-sm-auto\">last updated on 05.09.2025<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t  \r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uberwachung-im-internet-wen-durfen-die-behorden-wann-uberwachen-transparenzbericht-2021\">Transparenzbericht<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uberwachung-im-internet-wen-durfen-die-behorden-wann-uberwachen-transparenzbericht-2021\">Surveillance on the Internet: Who can the authorities put under surveillance and when?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>As part of their investigations, law enforcement authorities can put people&#8217;s private Internet traffic under surveillance. In these cases, Internet providers must provide the authorities with information based on so-called&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/randdaten\/\"><strong>edge data<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;(also: stored data) retrospectively or even enable real-time surveillance of data traffic. However, surveillance is only permitted under certain conditions. While Init7 only provided information on IP requests in four cases in 2019, this figure had already risen to 68 in 2024. The number has risen in recent years because the hurdles for surveillance requests are becoming smaller and smaller.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"905\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-905x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2230\" style=\"object-fit:contain;width:726px;height:822px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-905x1024.jpg 905w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-265x300.jpg 265w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-768x869.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-1358x1536.jpg 1358w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-1810x2048.jpg 1810w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Datensammeln_3_17-1-1149x1300.jpg 1149w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 905px) 100vw, 905px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ruediwidmer.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ruedi Widmer<\/a> in \u00abSaldo\u00bb, February 2017<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uberwachungen-init7\">The PTSS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Swiss Postal and Telecommunications Surveillance Service (PTSS) is responsible for surveillance requests. The PTSS is part of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP). According to its own information, the PTSS ensures that surveillance is carried out in accordance with the law and the legal system and that the privacy of the population is protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uberwachungen-init7\">Retrospective vs. active surveillance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A basic distinction is made between retrospective and active surveillance. Retrospective surveillance is based on stored data, the so-called edge data. Active surveillance involves real-time surveillance, which gives the authorities access to additional data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ruckwirkende-uberwachung\">Retrospective surveillance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Internet providers must store each person&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/randdaten\/\">edge data<\/a>&nbsp;for six months. In the case of retrospective surveillance, this edge data can be used to determine who a person was connected to via the Internet, when, for how long and from where. The technical aspects of the connection are also shown. An illustrative example can be found on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitale-gesellschaft.ch\/vorratsdatenspeicherung\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website of the Digital Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ruckwirkende-uberwachung\">Active surveillance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With active surveillance, the data flow is monitored in real time. This gives law enforcement authorities access to additional information. This includes, for example, the content of incoming and outgoing messages (e-mails, chats) or conversations (Internet telephony).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uberwachungen-init7\">When are the authorities allowed to put someone under surveillance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Swiss Federal Act on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic authorises the surveillance of persons in the following cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the context of criminal proceedings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Execution of a request for legal assistance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As part of a search for missing persons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As part of a search for persons who have been sentenced to imprisonment or against whom a custodial measure has been ordered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As part of the enforcement of the Swiss Intelligence Service Act<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In the context of criminal proceedings, surveillance may only be ordered if there is a strong suspicion that a criminal offence has been committed and the seriousness of the offence justifies the surveillance. Surveillance is also only permitted for certain criminal offences. In addition, the previous investigations must have been unsuccessful or the investigations must be futile or disproportionately difficult without the surveillance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2020, more than half of the surveillance cases were related to property offences, followed by offences against the Swiss Narcotics Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"749\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/U\u0308berwachungen-nach-Delikten-2020.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/U\u0308berwachungen-nach-Delikten-2020.png 749w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/U\u0308berwachungen-nach-Delikten-2020-300x158.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Source: PTSS Annual Report 2020<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tor-netzwerke-verhindern-uberwachung\">Tor network prevents surveillance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The edge data is stored and monitored on the basis of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/ip-adresse\/\">IP address<\/a>(es) used. Each device connected to the Internet uses its own IP address, which allows connections and data flows to be assigned to the respective devices and the people behind them to be identified. However, anyone who wishes to do so can conceal their IP address by using the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/tor-netzwerk\/\">Tor network<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tor network allows users to keep their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/ip-adresse\/\">IP address<\/a>&nbsp;secret and therefore remain anonymous on the Internet. If a person uses the Tor network, the data collected by surveillance is not useful because the person&#8217;s IP address is also used by other users of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/tor-netzwerk\/\">Tor network<\/a>&nbsp;. This makes it considerably more difficult, but not impossible, for law enforcement to identify the device from which a data packet was actually sent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also rumours that the law enforcement agencies themselves are snooping on the Tor network to intercept data traffic. As a result, Tor networks do not enable one hundred per cent secret data traffic. They are also associated with considerable performance losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uberwachungen-init7\">PTSS requests with Init7<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of PTSS requests has risen sharply in recent years. Init7 answered requests for so-called simple information. Simple information can refer to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/de\/glossar\/randdaten\/\">edge data<\/a>&nbsp;, but not necessarily. Simple information can, for example, only contain the name and address of a specific connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"702\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Tabelle-EN.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Tabelle-EN.png 702w, https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Tabelle-EN-300x141.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One reason for the significant increase in information is presumably that the cantonal prosecution authorities have no longer had to pay for their enquiries to the PTSS since 2020. This is what the Federal Council has stipulated in the Ordinance on Fees and Compensation for the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic (Art. 3 para. 4<sup>b<\/sup>). The absence of the fee encourages the law enforcement authorities to make many more enquiries than are presumably necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"weiterfuhrende-informationen\">Internet providers are not adequately compensated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a problem for the companies providing the information in that they must bear the de facto costs of processing the requests themselves. In 2018, the compensation that providers subject to the duty to cooperate receive from the PTSS for a simple disclosure was reduced from CHF 250 to CHF 3. This is despite the fact that the Swiss Federal Act on the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic (B\u00dcPF, Art. 38) provides for appropriate compensation for providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Init7 has filed a lawsuit against this massive reduction in compensation. According to court documents, Init7 spends 37 minutes on a simple enquiry. Compensation of 3 Swiss francs is therefore anything but appropriate. The Federal Administrative Court ruled in favour of Init7 in a ruling on 10 June 2020, but the Swiss Federal Supreme Court subsequently overturned the decision in a ruling on 27 July 2021. Obviously, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court did not want to disavow the Federal Council, which in the view of Init7 (and in the view of the Federal Administrative Court) clearly exceeded its discretionary powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The judgement of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court seems to us to be a further step towards expanding surveillance in Switzerland. It is part of a trend that has been observed for years, namely the steady expansion of surveillance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"weiterfuhrende-informationen\">Further information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fedlex.admin.ch\/eli\/cc\/2018\/31\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Art. 1 B\u00dcPF: Material scope of the surveillance of postal and telecommunications traffic<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fedlex.admin.ch\/eli\/cc\/2010\/267\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Art. 269 StPO: Requirements for monitoring postal and telecommunications traffic<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.li.admin.ch\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-08\/upf_jahresbericht_inhalt_en_20-07_0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PTSS Annual Report 2020<\/a><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.li.admin.ch\/de\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.li.admin.ch\/en\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Statistics on ordered surveillance in Switzerland<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fedlex.admin.ch\/eli\/cc\/2018\/34\/de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ordinance on Fees and Compensation for the Surveillance of Postal and Telecommunications Traffic (in German)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.republik.ch\/2021\/05\/26\/fischzuege-des-ueberwachungs-staats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Background article &#8220;Fishing expeditions by the surveillance state&#8221;, published in the online magazine Republik  (in German)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.init7.net\/en\/support\/faq\/privatsphaere\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Init7 and data protection<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2028Law enforcement authorities can monitor individuals as part of their investigations. Internet providers must provide the authorities with information in these cases. Init7 responded to a total of 80 such requests in 2021. And the number is steadily increasing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[202,205,11],"tags":[400,401,402,403,404,405],"class_list":["post-3222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-init7-en","category-market-politics","category-uncategorized","tag-buepf-en","tag-dienst-uepf-en","tag-internetueberwachung-en","tag-transparenzbericht-en","tag-ueberwachung-en","tag-ueberwachung-internet-schweiz-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3222"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4180,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3222\/revisions\/4180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.init7.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}