Use of digital tools (while abroad)

“[In some countries], data protection and privacy have a different status compared to Switzerland. Large-scale monitoring, face-recognition and surveillance of individuals as well as their technical equipment (i.e. mobile phones, laptops) is considered to be beneficial to public security and is largely accepted by the public. In public spaces and universities (including lecture halls, shared facilities at dormitories, etc.), cameras, microphones and/or select individuals [might] monitor speeches or events. Transmission of undesirable or harmful information may be reported to the authorities.

Due diligence is needed when handling personal, academic or institutional data and information processing on the internet or external data storage devices. You may want to bring and store just as much information as needed for your stay, and use simple work or communication equipment that does not contain sensitive material. (…) There is no full protection of the data you are carrying with you. Your mobile phone or laptop may be retrieved by customs or government authorities upon entry for checkups unannounced at any time. Make sure that your devices do not include any sensitive or personal data of yourself and other people (such as address books and contact lists, patient records, social media caches, documents violating local regulations, sensitive data from Switzerland or your home country,

etc.). For more details on data protection for individuals, companies and institutions, refer to the Federal Act on Data Protection of the Swiss government or the website of the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment.”[1]

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