ISTANBUL, Oct 15 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Switzerland plans to introduce stricter rules for major communication platforms and search engines to strengthen the protection of minors online, the Federal Council said Wednesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Under the proposed legislation, major platforms and search engines, including those powered by artificial intelligence, would be required to assess the risks their services pose to minors and take measures to mitigate them.
Providers would also be prohibited from displaying advertisements to minors based on profiling, which involves analysing users’ online behaviour and personal characteristics.
The Federal Council said the draft legislation had received broad support during the consultation, including from a majority of political parties represented in the Federal Assembly, cantons and national associations.
The proposed bill aims to strengthen users’ rights and increase transparency among major communication platforms and search engines, as “people increasingly rely on” them to access information.
It would also require communication platform providers to establish procedures allowing users to easily report content they suspect is illegal.
The legislation would apply to very large communication platforms and search engines, while smaller services would remain outside its scope.
The Federal Council also said it would consider whether additional measures to protect minors should be included in the legislation.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU