Data protection for private individuals in Switzerland

Art. 50 FADP

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Chapter 7: Federal Data Protection and Information CommissionerSection 2: Investigation of Violations of Data Protection Regulations

Statutory textStatus: 7 July 2025

1 If the federal body or the private person fails to fulfil the duties to cooperate, the FDPIC may as part of the investigation order the following in particular:

  • a.

    access to all information, documents, records of processing activities and personal data that are required for the investigation;

  • b.

    access to premises and installations;

  • c.

    questioning of witnesses;

  • d.

    appraisals by experts.

2 Professional secrecy remains reserved.

3 In order to enforce the measures under paragraph 1 the FDPIC may request support from other federal authorities and from the cantonal or communal police.

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

In brief

If a company under investigation does not cooperate, the FDPIC can order access to documents, premises and systems and have witnesses questioned.

What does this mean for me?

The FDPIC has effective means of establishing the facts.

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