Cybersecurity: Connected devices must better protect privacy
Connected devices available on the Swiss market will have to better protect the privacy of their users from 2024. These include smartphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers and wireless toys.
Better protection of users' privacy and personal data is to be achieved with a revision of the Ordinance on Telecommunications Installations (VFAV), as the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) announced on Thursday. In addition, the risk of money fraud is to be prevented and the resilience of the communication networks strengthened.
The revision will come into force on September 1, 2022. Every wireless device and product that can be connected to the Internet for communication must then have functions that guarantee the protection of personal data, especially when children are involved, Bakom writes. Manufacturers and developers will have to apply Bakom's new regulations from August 2024.
Reduce risk
If a smartphone or other wireless device can be used for electronic payments, he said, it must have features that significantly reduce the risk of fraud - for example, stronger user authentication controls.
In addition, it must be ruled out that networked devices can interfere with communication networks or disrupt the operation of websites or other services. They must therefore have functions that exclude such risks, according to Bakom.
The new regulations will align Swiss legislation with that of the European Union. According to Bakom, the EU standardization bodies are currently drawing up harmonized standards that should be available to European and Swiss industry by the end of September 2023 at the latest. (sda.)
