The Federal Office of CommunicationsExternal link has set up a government working group to look into the effects of artificial intelligence on the media and public opinion, writes the NZZ am Sonntag paper. This group was set up last September and is headed by the education and research ministry, spokesman Francis Meier told the paper.
Last October Swiss intelligence chief Jean-Philippe Gaudin also warned that foreign actors could try to influence the next national elections through online artificial intelligence, saying he would propose appropriate measures to the government.
Intelligence spokeswoman Isabelle Graber would not say if he has already done so, the NZZ am Sonntag continues. But she confirmed that the Federal Intelligence Services and its partners responsible for security in Switzerland were “dealing with the issue of influencing operations, especially in connection with the elections of 2019”. Influencing operations, in the jargon of the secret service, are operations such as social bots to manipulate public opinion, the paper explains.
And who does the Swiss secret service think could be capable of such operations? Its latest situation report points particularly at Russia.
The Federal Chancellery is also looking into the issue, reports the NZZ am Sonntag. And in coming weeks, Swiss authorities will be carrying out a hacker test to check the security of e-voting systems.
In a related article, the same newspaper reports that all the country’s political parties are banking on social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for their election campaigns. But the use of digital tools in election campaigns is still under-regulated, according to the NZZ am Sonntag. It quotes Swiss data protection commissioner Adrian LobsigerExternal link as saying that a new data protection law is needed.
More
More
‘Fake news’: The thorny question of safeguarding elections
This content was published on
As Americans vote in highly anticipated mid-terms, in Europe concern is growing over disinformation and manipulation derailing democratic processes.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
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.
Read more
More
Data protection watchdog urges transparency for elections
This content was published on
Switzerland’s data protection commissioner has called for increased transparency standards ahead of October’s parliamentary elections.
This content was published on
Defence Minister Guy Parmelin warns that Russian spy activity against sensitive infrastructure in Switzerland has reached intolerable levels.
This content was published on
A committee of politicians and IT experts launches an initiative aimed at banning online voting for at least five years in Switzerland.
This content was published on
Next year, Swiss authorities will put one of the country’s two e-voting systems up for attack by hackers – with a prize on offer for breaking it.
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.