Data protection for private individuals in Switzerland

Art. 24 FADP

Notifications of data security breaches

Chapter 3: Duties of the Controller and of the Processor

Statutory textStatus: 7 July 2025

1 The controller shall notify the FDPIC of any breach of data security that is likely to lead to a high risk to the data subject's personality or fundamental rights as quickly as possible.

2 In the notification, it shall as a minimum specify the nature of the breach of data security, its consequences and the measures taken or planned.

3 The processor shall notify the controller of any breach of data security as quickly as possible.

4 The controller shall inform the data subject if this is required for their protection or if the FDPIC so requests.

5 It may limit, delay or dispense with the provision of information to the data subject if:

  • a.

    there is a reason for doing so pursuant to Article 26 paragraph 1 letter b or paragraph 2 letter b or the provision of information is prohibited by a statutory duty of confidentiality;

  • b.

    the provision of information is impossible or requires disproportionate effort; or

  • c.

    the provision of information to the data subject is equally guaranteed by making a public announcement.

5bis With the controller’s consent, the FDPIC may forward the notification to the National Cyber Security Centre for analysis. The communication may contain sensitive personal data, including data relating to administrative and criminal proceedings or sanctions involving the controller.

6 A notification made pursuant to this Article may only be used against the person required to notify in criminal proceedings with that person's consent.

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

In brief

If there is a data breach that is likely to result in a high risk, the company must report it to the FDPIC as soon as possible. It must inform the data subjects if this is necessary for their protection or if the FDPIC requests it.

What does this mean for me?

If you are informed of a data breach, change any affected passwords and watch out for suspicious e-mails and calls.

Example

After a hacker attack on an online shop, customer data has appeared on the internet. The shop must inform the FDPIC and warn its customers.

Implementing provisions in the Data Protection Ordinance (DPO)

  1. Art. 15 DPOReport of breaches of data security

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