Internet initiative calls for more protection for children online in Switzerland

With social media regulation increasingly making global headlines, Guido Fluri has launched the Internet Initiative. The proposal calls for stricter Swiss regulations on social media and AI platforms to protect internet users from illegal content, disinformation and cybercrime.

Guido Fluri champions new Internet Initiative

A federal popular initiative was launched on Tuesday, March 3, calling for the Swiss government and international companies to do more to protect social media users against illegal, fake and violent content circulating on the internet. With this, Swiss entrepreneur Guido Fluri is “taking on Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk”, reports Watson. 

The initiative “For the protection of fundamental rights and democracy in the digital space (the Internet Initiative)” or “Zum Schutz der Grundrechte und der Demokratie im digitalen Raum (Internet-Initiative)” was authored by Guido Fluri, a Swiss entrepreneur and campaigner against child abuse.

The proposal is championed by a cross-party committee and includes members of the National Council from both left and right-wing political parties, as well as the Guido Fluri Foundation. The campaign wants to make the internet safer for users in Switzerland.

The initiative, says Fluri, is “about freedom and independence” when it comes to social media. Children and young adults are “at risk in the digital sphere from illegal images of violence and abuse, cybercrime and foreign disinformation campaigns”. 

What is the Internet Initiative proposing?

The initiative calls on the federal government and tech companies to take action to protect children online. Social media, AI providers and search engines should be more regulated to “protect people from violations of their fundamental rights”.

This would include, for example, preventing content being distributed that includes “sexualised violence, incites violence or glorifies violence”, as well as limiting fake content and disinformation. Furthermore, companies will be obliged to “protect the population from cybercrime” and investigate any reports of violations of these measures. 

The initiative’s committee has until September 3, 2027, to collect 100.000 signatures before the proposal is then reviewed by the government. According to the initiative’s website, they are aiming for 50.000 signatures in 100 days.