Data protection for private individuals in Switzerland

Art. 32 DPO

Mandatory nature of the pilot trial

Chapter 5: Special Provisions on Data Processing by Federal BodiesSection 4: Pilot Projects

Statutory textStatus: 1 December 2025

A pilot trial is mandatory if any one of the following conditions is satisfied:

  • a.

    Fulfilling a task requires technical innovations, the effects of which must first be evaluated.

  • b.

    Fulfilling a task requires significant organisational or technical measures, the effectiveness of which must first be tested, in particular in the case of the cooperation between federal and cantonal authorities.

  • c.

    Fulfilling a task requires personal data to be made accessible in the online search process.

Source: Version on FedlexThis translation is not an official version. Only the German, French and Italian versions are legally binding.

In brief

A pilot trial, in which a federal body processes data by automated means before a law has come into force (Art. 35 FADP), is regarded as essential if technical innovations must first be evaluated, significant organisational or technical measures must first be tested, or the data is to be made accessible in an online retrieval procedure.

What does this mean for me?

This rule concerns federal bodies. For you, it means: the Confederation may only trial sensitive processing under strict conditions before a law provides for it.

Implements these provisions of the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP)

  1. Art. 35 FADPAutomated data processing as part of pilot trials

Explanation by mydatenschutz.ch in plain language – not legal advice. The statutory text is authoritative.