The PTSS

When investigating serious offences, the federal and cantonal law enforcement authorities can order measures to conduct surveillance of postal and telecommunications activity. Since the 1st September 2017, the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) has also been authorised to order surveillance measures from the Post and Telecommunications Surveillance Service (PTSS) in case of a threat to Switzerland’s internal or external security. Since the 1st January 1998, the PTSS has been responsible for carrying out these measures in a legally compliant manner and in accordance with the rule of law. The authorities make a request for data to the PTSS, which obtains the data from the telecommunications service providers (TSPs); this is then passed on to investigators for analysis. The service also ensures that the applicable legislation is observed and that the public’s fundamental right to privacy is protected. The PTSS acts independently and autonomously and is not subject to directives from other authorities. It is affiliated for administrative purposes to the IT Service Centre of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (ISC-FDJP).