Politics · Switzerland · 8 hrs ago
Swiss court says current law does not allow general website blocking
Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court ruled that authorities cannot generally block websites under current law because no legal basis allows it.
The case began when Vaud prosecutors ordered internet providers to block websites during an investigation into suspected investment fraud.
The suspected fraudsters were accused of taking more than 1.7 million Swiss francs from investors through several websites.
Provider Init7 challenged the blocking order, and the court said website blocks remain possible only in specific cases set out in law, including gambling and child sexual abuse material.
The court said blocks can help fight online fraud, but they can be bypassed with tools such as VPNs.
The ruling also affects an order to block a climate activist group’s website, whose members are suspected of involvement in an arson attack on a cement plant.
Any wider blocking powers would need a law passed by parliament, while proposed rules to block some .ch and .swiss domains are being considered as part of a telecoms law revision.
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled that current law does not give authorities a general basis to order internet providers to block websites.
The ruling overturned an order by the Vaud public prosecutor’s office in a suspected online investment fraud case.
Provider Init7 challenged the order, which had directed several providers to block access to websites used in the alleged fraud.
The court said website blocking remains possible under specific laws, but any wider powers require legislation.
The Vaud prosecutor’s office said the ruling leaves authorities unable to stop websites created solely for fraud.
- Who
- Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court ruled on a challenge by internet provider Init7 to an order from the Vaud public prosecutor’s office.
- What
- The court found that current general criminal procedure law does not provide a basis for general website-blocking orders.
- When
- The ruling was dated 12 October 2026 and was reported on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland. The challenged order was issued by the Vaud public prosecutor’s office.
- Why
- Init7 challenged an order to block websites in an investigation into suspected online investment fraud.
Vaud public prosecutor’s office
Init7 and Digital Society Switzerland
Legal effect
Vaud public prosecutor’s office
The prosecutor’s office said the ruling leaves authorities unable to stop websites created solely for fraud.
Init7 and Digital Society Switzerland
Init7 challenged the blocking order, and Digital Society Switzerland welcomed the ruling as a safeguard against blocking without clear rules or notification.
Need for action
Vaud public prosecutor’s office
The prosecutor’s office said there is an urgent need for lawmakers to act.
Init7 and Digital Society Switzerland
Digital Society Switzerland argued for stronger cybersecurity rules and enforcement rather than broad website blocking.
The Vaud public prosecutor’s office ordered several internet providers to block access to websites in a suspected investment fraud case.
The Federal Supreme Court issued its ruling in case 7B_52/2026.
The ruling was reported by SRF and cash.ch.
- Court
- Swiss Federal Supreme Court
- Case number
- 7B_52/2026
- Challenging provider
- Init7
- Alleged fraud losses
- More than 1.7 million Swiss francs
- Order issued
- July 2025
- Specific legal exceptions
- Gambling law and telecommunications law for prohibited pornography
2 sources
What people are saying
a victory for criminals in general
Authorities that impose website blocks are often disappointed because they achieve nothing
a landmark ruling in the interests of democracy and freedom