What are "specially protected data" (besonders schützenswerte Personendaten) under Swiss data protection law?
Specially protected data are sensitive categories of personal data that require extra legal safeguards due to their potential to cause serious harm if misused.
Swiss data protection law (revDSG, Art. 5 lit. c) defines three categories of specially protected personal data:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| 1. Sensitive data | Religious, philosophical, political, or trade union activities and views. |
| 2. Personal characteristics | Health information, intimate sphere, ethnic origin. |
| 3. Legal data | Administrative or criminal prosecutions and sanctions. |
Why these categories need extra protection: Misuse of this data can lead to discrimination, persecution, social exclusion, or financial harm. Imagine an employer discovering your medical history, your political affiliation, or a past legal issue.
The full list is codified in Art. 5 lit. c, numbers 1 through 7 of the Swiss DSG. Processing these categories typically requires explicit consent or a specific legal basis, whereas regular personal data can sometimes be processed under less strict conditions.