Switzerland: Federal Council closes consultation on Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines including content moderation regulation

On 16 February 2026, the Federal Council closes its consultation on the Federal Law on Communications Platforms and Search Engines, which includes content moderation regulation. The Law would apply to search engine providers and user-generated content platforms whose services are used by at least 10 percent of the Swiss population within a six-month period. The Law would apply to search engine providers and user-generated content platforms whose services are used by at least 10% of the Swiss population within a six-month period. The draft Law mandates that providers to establish a procedure for users to report content they believe to be unlawful, covering offenses such as depictions of violence, defamation, threats, discrimination, and incitement to hatred. Providers must process these reports, decide on actions in a timely manner, and promptly inform reporting users of their decisions. Additionally, if providers take restrictive measures, such as content removal, visibility restriction, account suspension, or deletion, they must notify the affected user, unless the measure concerns misleading commercial content or user contact details are unknown. Providers must clearly explain in their terms and conditions which user content may face restrictions and how such measures are applied. They are required to include details on reporting procedures, handling of reports, and internal complaint mechanisms, all written in simple German, French, and Italian. Significant changes to terms must be communicated appropriately, and both the full terms and a summary must be publicly accessible. When applying restrictive measures or conducting related procedures, providers must act carefully, fairly, and without discrimination. Procedures should be user-friendly, available electronically, and understandable in a language chosen by the affected user. Notifications of decisions must explain the specific reasons, indicate if automated tools were used, and inform users about their right to lodge complaints internally or through out-of-court dispute resolution.