Enquiries, Sources – Federal Population Census, 1850-2000Data Protection

This point is governed by the "Federal Data Protection Law" (in German) and the revised "Federal Census Law" (in German). The relevant Ordinance covers practical implementation details.

In connection with data protection, five basic principles apply:

• Once they have been corrected, the census data must be made anonymous; persons' names must be erased.
• • • • Census data may be used for statistical purposes only, with the following exception: updating and correction of communal and cantonal registers of inhabitants is permitted for a maximum of six months after the conclusion of data collection. For updating purposes, only the data on the first page of the personal questionnaire may be used. In addition, the data on the building questionnaire are used to compile the buildings and dwellings register.
• • • • The results of the census may only be published in a form which prevents identification of the persons concerned .
• • • • The Federal Council and the Cantons designate a government office to monitor compliance with data protection in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
• • • • All the persons involved in the census are bound by official secrecy.