Validato says background checks are legal under Switzerland's revised data protection act

The revised Swiss Federal Data Protection Act (nDSG) took effect on 1 September 2023, tightening the rules for processing personal data. It requires companies to have a clear legal basis for any background check and to ensure that such checks are purpose‑limited, proportionate, transparent, based on explicit consent, securely stored and deleted according to defined periods.

Validato, a Swiss‑based platform for background screening and Human Risk Management, states that background checks remain permissible under the nDSG provided they meet these conditions. The service is ISO‑27001 certified, GDPR‑compliant and fully aligned with the nDSG, offering more than 18 configurable modules such as pre‑employment screening, in‑employment monitoring, external worker checks, KYC/AML verification, criminal and credit checks. Validato operates in over 200 countries, enabling Swiss employers to conduct international checks directly from the source.

Companies that fail to comply risk administrative fines and significant reputational damage, making adherence to the nDSG a critical compliance priority for Swiss businesses.