The current heads of the Zurich cantonal department of justice are not responsible for the data leak between 2006 and 2012 in which sensitive data is said to have come into the hands of criminals involved in drugs and prostitution.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Português
pt
Vazamento de dados em Zurique: autoridades atuais liberadas
An external administrative investigation has cleared the current heads, but it noted the unprofessional replacement of computers during the period in question.
The way in which the hard drives of the computers were disposed of was “unprofessional, careless and possibly criminally reprehensible”, the cantonal justice minister, Jacqueline Fehr, told the media on Tuesday. “It should never have taken place in this way.”
The external report, commissioned by the justice department, reveals that the rules surrounding the disposal of data remained inadequate until 2014. It added that no immediate additional measures are now necessary and such a scandal would not be possible today.
However, the legal consultancy has made recommendations for data security management. These are currently being implemented.
Open questions
The Public Prosecutor’s Office alerted Fehr to the matter in November 2020. Fehr then informed the cantonal data protection officer in particular and also commissioned the legal consultancy firm specialising in IT matters, which submitted its final report in March 2021.
On the recommendation of the data protection officer, Fehr did not inform the media for tactical reasons related to the investigation.
Last week, however, several media outlets revealed the leaking of data from 2006 to 2012. The events took place during the terms of office of two of Fehr’s predecessors, Markus Notter and Martin Graf. Some sensitive data is said to have come into the hands of criminals in the drug and prostitution business. These include psychiatric reports on accused people as well as information from the public prosecutor’s office and the justice department.
A criminal investigation is underway. As long as it is not completed, many questions remain open about the amount of leaked data and its sensitivity, Fehr stressed.
Most over-65s in Switzerland regularly use the internet
This content was published on
The digital divide is narrowing faster than expected in Switzerland. A study published on Wednesday reveals that nine out of ten over-65s use the internet.
Will Swiss president be forbidden from speaking English to counterparts?
This content was published on
Switzerland's president, Karin Keller-Sutter, should use one of the country's four national languages when communicating with international organisations, and not English, according to a motion that passed on Wednesday.
Canton Valais gives CHF10 million to Blatten after devastating landslide
This content was published on
Canton Valais is releasing CHF10 million ($12.1 million) in emergency funds for the mountain village of Blatten, which was wiped out by a devastating glacier collapse last week.
Elderly Swiss-Tunisian man held in prison in Tunisia
This content was published on
An 81-year-old Swiss-Tunisian dual national is being held in a Tunisian prison. The former manager of the UN refugee agency UNHCR was arrested a year ago, according to Amnesty International.
Major traffic jams expected in Switzerland for Whitsun weekend
This content was published on
Long traffic jams can be expected near the Gotthard Tunnel, the main north-south transalpine route in Switzerland, on Friday and Saturday afternoons due to the Whitsun holiday.
Swiss defence minister launches probe into alleged spy links with Russia
This content was published on
Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister has launched an investigation into the alleged disclosure of sensitive information by the cyber division of the Federal Intelligence Service to Russia.
PFAS-contaminated meat still sold in eastern Switzerland
This content was published on
Meat containing excessive levels of toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" produced by farms in canton St Gallen is still being sold.
Violations in Gaza by ‘both sides’ must be condemned, says Swiss minister
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has admitted that Israel is failing in its obligations by hindering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Hacker finds data security weak spot in Swiss railway system
This content was published on
An anonymous hacker gained access to the personal data of thousands of passengers who bought tickets from Swiss Federal Railways.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.