Telecommunications surveillance: On the road to 5G

The ordinance amendments relate in particular to the technical interface requirements for the provision of information, real-time monitoring and historical data (retrospective monitoring) for the monitoring of 5G mobile services and for the new system components of the ÜPF service (for information on the individual monitoring measures, see infobox).

Because the telecommunications sector is constantly evolving, standards and legal bases are also regularly adapted. According to the Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), the standards of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) are decisive. Switzerland uses these standards as a basis for the necessary legal foundations. The ordinance and the detailed annexes are revised from time to time. This way, the current technical details are clear to all parties required to cooperate (especially telecommunications service providers) and they can take the necessary organizational, administrative and technical steps to implement the surveillance measures ordered by law enforcement authorities and the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS), the FDJP release concludes.

Source: FDJP / Service OB

Monitoring measures and information at a glance

Real-time monitoring
Real-time monitoring is the simultaneous, slightly delayed or periodic transmission of postal or telecommunications traffic data; e.g. telephone or e-mail monitoring (listening in on telephone calls or reading e-mails).

Retroactive monitoring
Retrospective monitoring includes, in particular, the call records (who called whom, when and for how long, etc.) for the past six months.

BOLO
In the context of a manhunt, the law enforcement authorities may track down persons against whom a custodial sentence has been imposed or a measure involving deprivation of liberty has been ordered in a final and enforceable decision.

Emergency search
Outside of criminal proceedings, telecommunications surveillance measures can be ordered to find and rescue missing persons, such as hikers who have been involved in an accident or missing children.

Simple information
Simple information can be basic information on subscriber lines (telephone directory queries) or it can provide authorities with information on questions such as "Which telephone numbers are registered to a particular person?" provide information.

Complex information
Complex information (formerly technical-administrative information) provides more detailed information on telecommunications connections, such as copies of contracts or ID cards.