The protection of personal data has become a crucial issue in today's digital world. In Switzerland, the Federal Data Protection Act (LPD) regulates how companies and organizations process the personal data of their customers, employees and other data subjects. If you are responsible for a business in Switzerland or simply interact with Swiss residents, it is essential to understand your obligations and responsibilities under the DPA. In this article, we will introduce you to the basic principles of the DPA, the rights of data subjects, the obligations of companies and the penalties for non-compliance. We have tried to write this article to be easy to understand, while covering the technical aspects necessary to provide you with a thorough understanding of LPD. Overview of the DPA and its importance in Switzerland The Federal Data Protection Act (LPD) came into force in 1993 and has been revised several times since. It aims to protect the privacy and individual rights of individuals by ensuring that their personal data is handled appropriately and securely. The DPA applies to all companies and organizations that process personal data in Switzerland, whether Swiss or foreign. The importance of the DPA in Switzerland stems from the fact that data protection is considered a fundamental right in the country. Businesses and organizations must respect this right by ensuring that the personal data they process is processed lawfully, transparently and securely. The DPA applies both to personal data processed by automated means (such as computer systems) and to personal data processed manually (for example, on paper). Personal data includes all information which relates to an identified or identifiable natural person, such as name, address, telephone number, e-mail address or social security number. The basic principles of the DPA The DPA is based on several key principles which guide the way in which personal data must be treated. These principles include:
- Lawfulness: The processing of personal data must be lawful, that is to say in accordance with the law. Companies and organizations must have a legal basis for processing personal data, such as consent of the data subject, performance of a contract or compliance with a legal obligation.
- Purpose: Personal data must be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes, and not further processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes. In other words, companies and organizations should not use personal data for undisclosed or illegitimate purposes.
- Proportionality: The processing of personal data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed. Companies and organizations must ensure that they do not collect more personal data than necessary and that they do not retain this data for longer than necessary.
- Accuracy: Personal data must be accurate and, where necessary, updated. Companies and organizations are responsible for ensuring that the personal data they hold is correct and up-to-date, and for taking steps to correct or delete inaccurate data.
- Security: Personal data must be treated in such a way as to guarantee its security, including its protection against unauthorized access, loss, destruction or damage. Companies and organizations must put in place appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of personal data.
Rights of data subjects The DPA grants data subjects a number of rights with regard to their personal data. These rights include:
- Right of access: Data subjects have the right to request from companies and organizations information about the personal data concerning them that is processed, as well as the purposes of the processing, the categories of data concerned and the recipients to whom the data has been transferred. or will be communicated.
- Right of rectification: Data subjects have the right to request the correction or updating of their personal data if they are inaccurate or incomplete.
- Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”): In certain circumstances, data subjects have the right to request the erasure of their personal data, for example if the data is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they have been collected, or if the data subjects withdraw their consent to the processing.
- Right to object: Data subjects have the right to object to the processing of their personal data for reasons relating to their particular situation, unless the company or organization can demonstrate that it has legitimate reasons. imperative for treatment.
- Right to restriction of processing: In certain circumstances, data subjects have the right to request the restriction of the processing of their personal data, for example if the accuracy of the data is disputed or if the processing is unlawful.
- Right to data portability: Data subjects have the right to receive their personal data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, and to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance.
The obligations of companies The LPD also imposes a certain number of obligations on companies and organizations to guarantee the protection of personal data. These obligations include:
- Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO): Companies and organizations may be required to appoint a DPO to oversee and coordinate their data protection compliance efforts.
- Inform data subjects: Companies and organizations must inform data subjects in a clear and transparent manner about how their personal data is processed, including the purposes of the processing, the recipients of the data and the rights available to data subjects.
- Obtain consent: When the processing of personal data is based on the consent of the data subject, companies and organizations must obtain this consent in a free, specific, informed and unambiguous manner. The consent must also be revocable at any time.
- Implement security measures: Companies and organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, destruction or damage.
- Keep a record of processing activities: Companies and organizations may be required to keep a record of their personal data processing activities, including purposes of processing, categories of data and data subjects, and data transfers to third countries.
- Data Breach Notification: Companies and organizations must notify the Federal Data Protection Officer (FDPIC) and, in some cases, affected individuals, of any data breach that may result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of the persons concerned.
Penalties for non-compliance Failure to comply with the provisions of the DPA may lead to penalties for companies and organisations. The Federal Data Protection Officer (FDPIC) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the DPA and can impose administrative penalties for non-compliance. Sanctions may include warnings, compliance orders, orders to cease data processing and fines of up to CHF 250,000. It is essential for businesses and organizations to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with the DPA and minimize the risk of penalties. This may include staff training, putting in place risk management mechanisms and carrying out data protection impact assessments for high-risk processing activities. Conclusion The DPA is a key element of Swiss data protection legislation and aims to guarantee the protection of the privacy and individual rights of data subjects. Businesses and organizations should familiarize themselves with the principles, rights and obligations of the DPA to ensure that they process personal data in a compliant and responsible manner. By understanding and complying with the provisions of the DPA, businesses and organizations can build trust with their customers and stakeholders, while minimizing the risk of penalties for non-compliance.