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May 9, 2025
The Swiss government is planning to tighten existing laws regarding internet usage. A current draft regulation stipulates that users of online platforms with more than 5,000 users will have to identify themselves in the future. This could be done by submitting a copy of an ID card or driver's license, or by providing a telephone number. The planned measure is intended to severely restrict anonymity on the internet and is considered by critics to be comprehensive surveillance of Swiss online users.
In addition to the identification requirement, online services will also be obligated to store metadata such as IP addresses and port numbers for six months and to assist authorities in decrypting content. These measures are part of a broader plan by the Swiss government to expand internet surveillance. The plans are encountering widespread resistance from data protection organizations and civil rights groups, who fear a restriction of fundamental rights.
A recent study by IBM shows that only 25 percent of all business AI projects worldwide have achieved the expected profits so far. The study, which is based on a survey of 2,000 company executives, shows that many companies are using artificial intelligence without fully understanding the associated benefits. Although the main goal of AI implementation is increased profitability in most cases, this often fails to materialize.
Despite the rather disappointing results so far, the surveyed executives are optimistic about the future. 85 percent of them expect that investments in AI efficiency and the associated savings will pay off by 2027. It remains to be seen whether these expectations will be met and whether companies will be able to exploit the full potential of AI.
Several EU member states are pushing for stricter rules to combat online payment fraud. A current proposal by the European Commission provides for customers of payment service providers such as PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard to be granted the right to automatic reimbursement in cases of fraud.
As part of the negotiations on the Commission's proposal, the Irish Ministry of Finance has submitted an amendment that would oblige social media companies to check the legitimacy of advertisers before publishing their ads. This measure is intended to prevent fraudulent advertising from being disseminated on the platforms. However, the implementation of this proposal is proving difficult, as it may violate provisions of the Digital Services Act.
The introduction of the electronic patient record (ePA) in Germany is accompanied by ongoing discussions. Despite the announced "nationwide rollout," the ePA is hardly used so far. Data protection concerns and open questions about the transparency and security of the data contribute to the low acceptance rate.
Associations such as the doctors' association Medi Geno and the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP), as well as patient organizations and consumer protection agencies, point to the right of objection to the ePA and demand higher security standards and transparent information. The concerns raised recently have only been inadequately addressed, which further weakens confidence in the ePA.
