Switzerland: Announced Bill on regulation of online communication platforms including user speech rights

On 5 April 2023, the Swiss Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) to prepare a draft bill for consultation on the regulation of communication platforms including user speech rights. This draft bill would strengthen the rights of users in Switzerland vis-à-vis online communication providers such as social media platforms. The draft bill will include proposals for review mechanisms of blocked or deleted user content, including an independent arbitration board funded by the platforms. The deadline given by the Federal Council for drafting the proposed Bill is the end of March 2024.