Guide
Practical knowledge about data protection in everyday life.
Messengers
- Messengers comparedMessengers comparedWhich messenger protects your privacy? The key differences at a glance.
- MessengerThreema and data protectionThreema from Switzerland: usable without a phone number, end-to-end encrypted, open source. What you should know and how to set it up.
- MessengerSignal and data protectionSignal: non-profit, open source, end-to-end encrypted throughout. What you should know about phone numbers, usernames and settings.
- MessengerSession and data protectionSession: no phone number, decentralised and with onion routing. What you should know about funding, encryption and settings.
- MessengerWire and data protectionWire: Swiss provider, end-to-end encrypted throughout, sign-up with email instead of a phone number. What to know about the free personal version.
- MessengerElement (Matrix) and data protectionElement uses the open Matrix standard: no phone number, with a server of your choice or your own. What to know about metadata and settings.
- MessengerWhatsApp and data protectionWhat WhatsApp learns about you, the criticism it faces, how to make the app more privacy-friendly and what alternatives there are.
- MessengerTelegram and data protectionTelegram is not end-to-end encrypted by default and hands data to authorities when ordered to. What this means for you.
Topics
- TopicsSo much for “I have nothing to hide” – why data protection concerns everyone“I have nothing to hide” is the most common argument against data protection. Why it doesn’t hold up – and what you can actually do.
- TopicsChildren’s data on the internetPhotos of children online, apps and social media: what parents should consider when protecting their children’s data and what rights children have.
- TopicsCredit databases: what credit agencies store about youTurned down for a loan, mobile contract or flat? How to find out what credit agencies store about you and get errors corrected.
- TopicsData breach at a company – what should you do?Your data has been leaked in a cyberattack or data breach? The key steps, your rights and how to protect yourself from further harm.
- TopicsStopping advertising and address tradingLetterbox, phone, email and text messages: how to stop unwanted advertising and find out where companies got your address.
- TopicsWhat is my employer allowed to know about me?Job applications, personnel files, monitoring and health data: what data your employer may process and what rights you have.
- TopicsYour neighbour’s video surveillance – what is allowed?Your neighbour’s camera films your garden or the pavement? What private individuals must observe with video surveillance and what you can do.
Crash course on the Act
- Part 1An overview of the Swiss Federal Act on Data ProtectionWhat the FADP protects, who it applies to and the principles under which personal data may be processed – clearly explained.
- Part 2Your rights under the Federal Act on Data ProtectionAccess, data portability, correction, deletion and objection: what rights you have under the FADP and how to exercise them.
- Part 3Obligations of companies under the FADPInformation, records of processing, data security, impact assessments: what companies must observe when handling your data.
- Part 4Data security and data breachesHow companies must protect your data, when a data breach must be reported to the FDPIC and what you can do yourself if it happens.
- Part 5Transferring data abroadWhen companies may transfer personal data abroad – from the Federal Council’s list of countries to the Swiss-US Data Privacy Framework.
- Part 6Data protection in digital marketingNewsletters, advertising texts, telemarketing, cookies and tracking: which rules apply in Switzerland and how to defend yourself against advertising.
- Part 7Data protection in healthcare, finance, work and schoolWhich special rules apply to health and banking data, in the workplace and to authorities – in addition to the FADP.
- Part 8Artificial intelligence, big data and blockchainHow the FADP applies to AI applications, large-scale data analysis and blockchain, and what you should look out for as a user.
- Part 9Data protection for SMEs: the essentials in practiceWhich FADP obligations also apply to small businesses, where relaxed rules apply and how an SME can take a pragmatic approach.
- Part 10Current developments in data protectionWhat has changed with the new FADP and which established developments in AI, transfers abroad and cybersecurity you should know about.
- Part 11Learning about data protection: awareness in everyday life and at workWhy knowledge is the best data protection, what companies should teach their employees and how you can protect yourself.
- Part 12Summary and where to get helpThe key points of the crash course at a glance and which bodies can help you with data protection problems in Switzerland.
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