A journey into cyberspace guided by the Council of Europe

On 21 May 2021, 47 foreign ministers met online for the 131st Session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. They work as a team, also in the digital sphere. It is precisely the digital sphere that presents the Council of Europe with both a challenge and an opportunity to safeguard human rights, democracy and the rule of law not only in the physical world but also in cyberspace. Four Swiss experts working in the Council of Europe share their experiences.

21.05.2021

Europe Foreign policy

The national flag of Switzerland and the flag of the Council of Europe hanging on the Federal building.

For Switzerland, the Council of Europe is a platform for exchange to which it can contribute on an equal footing with the other member states. © Keystone

Since its founding 72 years ago after the Second World War, the Council of Europe has held 131 ministerial sessions. These two figures might lead one to suppose that the Council of Europe proceeds at a slow pace set by treaties and conventions. Quite the opposite: the Council of Europe is very much in step with the times and is meeting the challenges that digital technology is bringing to our daily lives. Data protection, artificial intelligence, the fight against cybercrime and hate speech on social networks are just some examples.

For Switzerland, the Council of Europe is a platform for exchange to which it can contribute on an equal footing with the other member states to tackle today's global challenges – including digitalisation. "It is our common duty to prevent the risks of digitisation without impeding progress," said Mr Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the ministerial meeting. Digitalisation is likewise one of the priorities of Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23.

Four Swiss experts working at the Council of Europe talk about how its activities impact our daily lives.

Expert Andrea Candrian on cybercrime

I get an email from my employer with this warning: "Beware of emails from unknown senders. Don't click on links, or reply to emails from suspicious or unknown senders. They may be attempts to take control of your account or access your data."

Andrea Candrian represents Switzerland in the expert group on cybercrime. © FDFA

Andrea Candrian represents Switzerland in the Council of Europe's expert group on cybercrime. "Unfortunately, we're still getting emails or phone calls from people who've been victims of internet crimes like blackmail involving cash or bitcoin," explains Candrian. Cooperation between states is essential if we are to find a swift solution, and the Council of Europe is the ideal platform to respond to this challenge effectively. This is why the Council of Europe's Convention on Cybercrime, known as the Budapest Convention, was adopted in 2001. Sixty-six states, including Switzerland, harmonised their criminal law and established common rules for international cooperation.

Budapest Convention: cooperation across borders

Cybercriminals use computers or IP addresses located abroad. "Swiss criminal proceedings against cybercriminals can only bring the perpetrators to justice if our authorities receive the computer data they need from abroad to investigate cases as fully as possible," explains Candrian.

The Council of Europe's Convention on Cybercrime, known as the Budapest Convention, has therefore become the most important multilateral treaty worldwide in the fight against cybercrime. "In this context, I think it's important that non-European states can also join the Convention so that it can serve as a basis for speedy cooperation with the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and other major players. The Convention is a good example of the important role the Council of Europe can also play beyond its borders in preventing and punishing crime, and in strengthening cooperation and trust between states," adds Candrian.

Andrea Candrian has worked for many years at the Council of Europe as an expert in criminal law and has also represented Switzerland in the field of counterterrorism. He believes that Switzerland's participation in the Council of Europe is vital because it allows "regular exchanges among experts and judicial authorities in the field of criminal law and the fight against crime. Such exchanges always result in a transfer of knowledge. They also strengthen mutual trust in many areas, for example in the fight against domestic violence, terrorism or cybercrime," he concludes.

Combating hate speech online: Dominique Steiger Leuba in ad hoc committee

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat: social media are part of our daily lives, and with just a few clicks we can 'like' or 'share' or leave a comment. Moments later, however, racist comments from third parties may also appear on the page.

Dominique Steiger Leuba represents Switzerland on the Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Speech. © FDFA

Since 2002, Dominique Steiger Leuba has been working as a specialist in the International Human Rights Unit of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ). She represents Switzerland at the Council of Europe on the Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Speech. The Council of Europe has adopted a number of treaties and recommendations containing guidelines to help member states combat hate speech, both online and offline, and to support victims. The committee is currently working on a recommendation for a comprehensive approach to combating hate speech online. "These instruments require all member states to develop legal frameworks to address the problem," explains Steiger Leuba.

Combating hate speech: an ongoing obligation for Switzerland too

Complaints against hateful, insulting or slanderous comments are also on the increase in Switzerland. "Hate speech must be combated whilst at the same time preserving the balance between protection against discrimination and hate speech and the protection of freedom of expression," explains Dominique Steiger Leuba. Recommendations are important instruments, even if not legally binding.

Victims of hate speech can invoke various provisions of Swiss law, both in criminal and private law. Most online platforms also allow users to report hate speech. The content reported is then reviewed and removed as appropriate. "Some platforms have also set up a system of 'trusted flaggers' whereby content reported by them is examined as a priority. The Federal Office of Police (fedpol), for example, enjoys this status on YouTube," says Steiger Leuba. It is also important to know that the simple act of clicking the 'like' or 'share' button of a hateful or offensive post on social media can lead to your being prosecuted if the post is thus communicated to a third party.

According to Dominique Steiger Leuba, Switzerland's participation in the Council of Europe is crucial. "These discussions lead, among other things, to the drafting of legal instruments, whether binding or not, which then make it possible to anchor these fundamental principles in the legal systems and practices of all the member states," she concludes.

Personal data protection: Commissioner Jean-Philippe Walter's experience

I click on a news portal. One of the articles is about measures to trace potential COVID-19 carriers and the introduction of a COVID-19 certificate. I'm concerned about some aspects and leave a comment: is my personal data protected? Will my freedom of movement still be guaranteed?

Jean-Philippe Walter is the Council of Europe's Data Protection Commissioner. © FDFA

Jean-Philippe Walter has addressed this and many similar concerns since he became the Council of Europe's Data Protection Commissioner in 2019. He has been particularly involved in the modernisation of Convention 108, adopted in 1980. This internationally binding instrument is aimed at protecting individuals against improper automated processing of their personal data. Its modernisation, begun on 28 January 2011, is a fundamental step towards strengthening data protection rights in Europe and worldwide. Convention 108+ was therefore a response to current social and technological developments.

A plus for Convention 108

Convention 108+ was adopted in 2018 following a modernisation process. "This Convention is not just a European text, but a global convention open to signature by any state with data protection legislation that fulfils the Convention's requirements," explains Walter.

The Convention is a major step towards a universal data protection framework, as it also regulates transborder flows of personal data. "In the past few years, the Council of Europe has been promoting this text and assisting interested states in implementing effective legislation and with ratification processes", notes Walter.

Before taking on the mantle of Council of Europe Data Protection Commissioner following his retirement at the beginning of 2019, Walter represented Switzerland in various Council of Europe committees and working groups involved in data protection. He considers Switzerland's presence in the Council of Europe important because "Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. Its participation in the Council of Europe in the field of data protection is therefore all the more important, not only to contribute to the development of this fundamental right in the digital age, but also to strengthen international cooperation in this cross-sectoral and globalised field”.

Guidelines for artificial intelligence: the work of Thomas Schneider

Some airports are testing the use of facial recognition: so no more printed paper tickets or documents – just a face scan and off you go! In a matter of seconds, they can see who I am, where I'm going and whether I've had a COVID-19 test. What other data do they have access to? And where does my personal information go?

Thomas Schneider is member of the governing body of the Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence. © FDFA

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key part of Thomas Schneider's work, also at the Council of Europe. He has represented Switzerland on the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) since 2005 and, since 2019, he has been a member of the governing body of the Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAHAI). "We are tasked with developing a feasibility study for a legal framework for AI by the end of 2021, which should contain the foundations and concrete elements of a binding agreement," says Schneider. Through binding and non-binding rules, the Council of Europe provides the framework within which individual states should strive to protect the fundamental rights of their citizens when using AI. The Council of Europe has also developed a number of guidelines, such as the 2019 guidelines on AI and data protection, aimed at helping policymakers, AI developers, manufacturers and service providers ensure that AI applications do not compromise privacy rights.

Recommendations, charters or commitments concerning artificial intelligence?

In recent years, the Council of Europe has been working on clarifying the issue of AI. Various bodies have primarily developed non-binding guidelines, meaning that they do not create new legal obligations, and adapted them to the respective context. The Steering Committee on Media and the Information Society, for example, has produced a recommendation on the human rights implications of algorithmic systems. It calls on governments to ensure that human rights are not violated in the use of algorithmic systems and to provide information on the responsibilities of online platforms.

However, in recent years and months, there has been a growing number of voices calling for a binding element that would lay down the basic principles for dealing with IA across all thematic areas. Thomas Schneider is currently working with CAHAI on developing elements for such a binding convention de cadre as well as other instruments on sub-aspects such as a human rights impact assessment for AI services.

When developing rules and standards for AI, the participation of all stakeholders is essential. "Involving businesses, civil society and universities allows us on the one hand to understand the opportunities and risks of new technologies like AI, but also to develop proportionate and enforceable regulation. Switzerland is at the forefront of supporting this multi-stakeholder approach, which the Council of Europe is increasingly adopting," explains Mr Schneider.

The Council of Europe is often a pioneer in various fields, and Switzerland is playing its part at the forefront in this context. "The Council of Europe sets the basic principles and milestones for future regulation at national and European levels – often beyond Europe too. It has a unique, global and coherent system of values and organisation that allows it to take on new challenges and develop a coherent set of rules for the long term," says Schneider.

Documents

Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–24 (PDF, 48 Pages, 2.8 MB, English)

Other languages
Strategie Digitalaussenpolitik 2021–2024
Stratégie de politique extérieure numérique 2021–2024
Strategia di politica estera digitale 2021–2024

Europe Foreign policy

Back to the news overview

The European Convention on Human Rights celebrates its 70th anniversary

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was initiated and drafted by the Council of Europe, and signed on 4 November 1950. The 70th anniversary of this common endeavour is highly significant for Switzerland, as the Convention's key elements are also among the priorities of Swiss foreign policy. Historic and enduringly relevant, the ECHR is now making inroads in the digital world.

A timeline showing the history of the ECHR and highlighting that in 1963, Switzerland joined the Council of Europe, and in 1974, the convention was ratified.

International organizations 05.11.2020

"Intergovernmental cooperation is essential in a global crisis"

Ambassador Christian Meuwly, permanent representative of Switzerland to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, talks about the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which is turning 70. He discusses its influence, importance and future, and the crucial role of intergovernmental cooperation, especially in times of crisis.

We see a darkened room with a blue glow containing rows of servers on which digital data is stored.

Foreign policy 04.11.2020

Coherent foreign policy in the digital space

Digitalisation offers new opportunities for diplomacy, poverty reduction and sustainable development. But there are also risks involved in the processing of vast amounts of data, the spread of fake news and surveillance. By adopting the Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–2024, the Federal Council is acknowledging digitalisation as a thematic priority of Switzerland's foreign policy.