The Swiss prosecution authorities and the Federal intelligence service (FIS) may order post and telecommunications surveillance measures for the purpose of investigating serious criminal offences based on the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code and the Federal Intelligence Service Act. The PTSS is obliged to produce statistics on surveillance measures based on  Art. 16 para. 1 let. k of the Federal Act on Post and Telecommunications Surveillance (SPTA).

Although the number of monitoring measures has fallen this year, it is still slightly above the average of the last five years. While real-time monitoring is within this average, retrospective monitoring is slightly higher. However, emergency searches and tracing of persons show a strong increase compared to the above-mentioned average, while antenna searches are slightly lower.

The Articles 269bis and 269ter of the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code allow the use of special technical devices (IMSI catchers) and computer software (govware) for telecommunications surveillance. 

In 2023, 9 operations used this special computer software (7 in the previous year). The number of operations using special technical devices (IMSI-Catcher) amounts to 160 compared to 120 in the previous year. 

Note: The numbers presented by FIS and those by the PTSS are not comparable due to a different counting method.

See the detailed statistics* 2011-2023 under Publications.

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Real-time monitoring Real-time surveillance is the simultaneous, slightly delayed or periodic transmission of post or telecommunications data, for example telephone or email monitoring (listening in on telephone conversations or reading of email messages).	${ surveillance_breakdown.echtzeit }
Retroactive monitoring Retroactive surveillance includes data on who has been in contact with whom, when, how, for how long and from where, for a maximum period of six months in the past.	${ surveillance_breakdown.ruckwirkend }
Information (complex) Complex information (previously termed "technical/administrative information") provides more detailed information relating to telecommunications connections such as copies of contracts or ID.	${ surveillance_breakdown.auskunfte }
Information (simple) Simple information can be basic information on subscriber access (telephone directory enquiries) or can provide the authorities with information on questions such as "Which telephone numbers are registered to a particular person?".	${ surveillance_breakdown.einfache }
Tracing of persons The prosecution authorities can track down persons on whom a custodial sentence has been imposed or against whom a measure involving deprivation of liberty has been ordered in a legally binding and enforceable decision.	${ surveillance_breakdown.fahndung }
Emergency search As well as for criminal proceedings, telecommunications surveillance measures can be ordered for the purpose of finding and rescuing missing persons such as hikers involved in accidents or missing children.	${ surveillance_breakdown.notsuche }
Antenna search of 2 hours Comprises call records of all communications, communication attempts and network accesses that have occurred at a specific location and that have taken place via specific mobile radio cells.	${ surveillance_breakdown.suchlauf }

*Statistical results that have been published, made available, or processed from data from statistical bodies of the PTSS may be used or reproduced without copyright authorisation provided reference is made to their source.