Digital intermediaries and communication platforms
In the course of the digital transformation, a new communication infrastructure has emerged which includes search engines (e.g. Google), social networking platforms (e.g. Facebook), multimedia platforms (e.g. YouTube) and microblogging services (e.g. Twitter). This has expanded the possibilities of private and public communication and information searches. These new services (platforms) can enrich public debate, but they can also entail risks for public communication in Switzerland.
New law on communication platforms and search engines
The Federal Council wants to strengthen the rights of users in the digital space and oblige very large online platforms and search engines to be more fair and transparent. A new law is to define core rules for services such as Facebook, X, TikTok or Google.
Communication platforms and search engines are a new part of the communication infrastructure. They are operated by a handful of internationally active companies according to their own privately defined and enforced rules. The new Federal Act on Communication Platforms and Search Engines is intended to strengthen users’ rights. To protect users’ freedom of expression and freedom of information, operators of very large communication platforms will be required to ensure greater transparency regarding the removal of content and the suspension of accounts by providing information on such decisions and giving reasons for doing so; they will also have to establish an internal appeals procedure and participate in an out-of-court dispute settlement in the event of conflicts. The preliminary draft also includes transparency requirements regarding the labelling and targeting of advertising, as well as requirements on the use of recommender systems. Regular reporting and access to data for civil society organisations and research bodies will make it possible to better assess and monitor the societal impact of the activities of very large communication platforms and very large search engines.
The public consultation ran from 29 October 2025 to 16 February 2026. The numerous responses are currently being analysed by DETEC.
Further Information
New law on communication platforms and search engines: Start of consultation procedure
Federal Council seeks to regulate large communication platforms
Digital intermediaries and communication platforms - OFCOM report
Instructed by the Federal Council, OFCOM worked with the Federal Chancellery to draw up a report on the activity of platform operators (intermediaries) in relation to public communication as well as in the formation of opinion and the formation of political policy. The report explores the question of how the behaviour of intermediaries and the use of online platforms by the public affect public communication in Switzerland and the formation of opinion among the Swiss population.
The report identifies problem areas including hate speech, false information, quasi-censorship and a lack of transparency. Various studies commissioned by OFCOM have concluded that the population is entitled to effective protection against illegal hate speech and disinformation, and that the rights of users should be better protected with respect to intermediaries. Various efforts are also being made in this direction in other countries. Against this background, a broad discussion is needed in Switzerland on the role played by intermediaries in society and on their governance.
The Federal Council has instructed DETEC to present a discussion paper by the end of 2022 on whether and how communication platforms should be regulated.
Current research projects and published papers
In spring 2020, OFCOM invited researchers to submit project outlines relating to digital disinformation and hate speech (call for papers available here in German, French and Italian: Media research.
The following projects have been selected and awarded funding; the publications to date can be found here: Individual studies
OFCOM has commissioned various studies which deal with questions relating to communication platforms and public communication in Switzerland.
Assessment of Existing Regulatory Standards and Regulatory Options Regarding Intermediaries in Switzerland (2020)
Governance of Information Intermediaries – Challenges and Solutions (2020)
Opportunities and Threats in Relation to the Impact of Tech-information Intermediaries on the Swiss Public (2020)
The Changing Public Realm: Considerations from the Perspective of Fundamental Rights (2020)
Constitutional Principles of a Possible Regulation of Public Online Debates (2020)
Functional and Dysfunctional Public in a Democracy (2020)
Artificial Intelligence, Intermediaries and the Public Sphere
Artificial Intelligence, Media and the Public Sphere
OFCOM and the Federal Chancellery participated in an interdepartmental working group under SERI guidance on the challenges associated with artificial intelligence. As part of their work there (more information available here: Artificial intelligence, they prepared a report on artificial intelligence, media and the public sphere.
Legal basis for social media
Social media platforms such as Twitter, blogs and Facebook present new legislative challenges. The Federal Council nevertheless concludes in its second report (2017) on the legal basis of social media that no further legal regulation is currently necessary (report available in German, French and Italian).