Swiss Trade In Privacy For Security

With 65.5% of voters in favor, Switzerland will now have an arsenal of somewhat-scary surveillance powers. The approved new law will give government intelligence authority to tap phones, creep into email and even use hidden cameras, pending court orders. Opponents of the law had their good reasons: beyond the usual fear of lost privacy and civil liberties, the law could also put Swiss neutrality at risk by requiring closer cooperation with foreign entities. Still, the law received massive voter support, reflecting the public’s bigger concern: terrorism. Switzerland has become increasingly fearful of militant attacks, evident in how they are cool with the country’s intelligence snooping through their emails and browser history. The Swiss people have spoken… and it was probably recorded, too.