Post and Telecommunications Surveillance Service PTSS

Welcome

Welcome to the homepage of PTSS, the Post and Telecommunications Surveillance Service. This website is aimed at Communication Service Providers (CSP), Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) as well as the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) for information, communication and exchange purposes.

The PTSS is responsible for ensuring the implementation of post and telecommunications surveillance measures. It acts independently and autonomously, and is not subject to directives.

Annual report 2024

The annual report offers a look back at the year 2024 and shows the collaboration of the PTSS with telecommunications service providers and the law enforcement authorities.

The world is changing rapidly, and things that are in fashion now will soon be old news. But criminals are equally quick to find ways to exploit the latest technologies for their own gain. The annual report provides insight into the measures taken by the PTSS to keep pace with this development.

Statistics 2024

The latest statistics show that: In 2024, surveillance measures were used more frequently in Switzerland than in the previous year. In particular, real-time and retrospective surveillance were ordered more often, as were emergency searches. There was a particularly significant increase in the use of antenna searches – a development that contributed significantly to the increase in the overall figures. Meanwhile, the number of tracing of persons fell slightly.

Extranet

Entities obliged to cooperate (EOC) can use the extranet to communicate securely with PTSS, submit applications and supporting documents and transmit changes in their situation. In particular, a telecommunications service provider (TSP) can use this channel to submit a request for a downgrade to a TSP with reduced surveillance duties in accordance with Article 51 SPTO. PTSS then assesses the situation of the EOC and, if necessary, issues a decision on the EOC’s duties status (e.g. TSP with reduced surveillance duties). Furthermore, providers who are obliged to transmit their current contact data (Art. 5 OI-PTS), can communicate changes, such as new contact information for their LI officers, via the extranet.