The new data protection law

September 13, 2023

What do I need to know about the new Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA)?

The new Data Protection Act (DPA) has been in force in Switzerland since September 1, 2023. This brings with it stricter requirements for the handling of personal data. In the following, we summarize what will change and which specific adjustments are now necessary on websites.

 

What's new in the Data Protection Act?

With the new DPA, the rights to informational self-determination and privacy protection have been strengthened. Typical innovations are:

  • Explicit user consent is now required to process personal data. Written consent is required in certain cases.
  • Users have more comprehensive rights of access and objection regarding their data.
  • Special categories of personal data enjoy a higher level of protection.
  • The security of personal data must be ensured with appropriate measures.
  • Obligation to report data security breaches.
  • Higher penalties for breaches of data protection obligations.

 

What do website operators have to pay attention to now?

In order to comply with the new legal requirements, website operators should check and adapt the following points:

  • Update the privacy policy. Users must be fully informed about data processing.
  • Host external assets such as Google Fonts or Analytics yourself to avoid data transfer abroad.
  • Create cookie policies and obtain active user consent for certain cookies.
  • Encrypt personal data and implement other technical security measures.
  • Establish processes for user requests for information.

Disclaimer

The statements made in this article are based on general information on data privacy law. They do not constitute individual legal advice and do not establish any liability. For a binding review of the legal requirements, please contact a specialized legal service provider.

You are unsure how to implement the mentioned points? We are happy to advise you without obligation on how you can best implement the data protection requirements on your WordPress site. Get in touch with us!

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