Is cookie consent required in Switzerland?

Cookie consent is required in Switzerland if your website serves goods or services to EU residents as per the requirements of the EU’s GDPR.

The revised FADP (nFADP) also introduces significant changes including the requirement of consent for processing certain types of data including sensitive personal data, as per Article 6. This may include the use of cookies on your website. If you rely on consent for processing, you must also ensure that the consent is freely given, informed, and specific.

According to Article 45c of the Swiss Telecommunications Act (TCA), website operators in Switzerland are required to provide users with clear information about processing data, explain their purposes, and the user’s right to refuse the processing. 

Recently, Google expanded its EU User Consent Policy to encompass users in Switzerland. Effective July 31, 2024, there are new Google consent requirements for Switzerland. Websites using Google advertising products targeted towards Swiss users must obtain consent from the users for cookies and personal data use for ad personalization.