Google could be forced to pay for Swiss news content

Monday, 23 June 2025 06:30

Big changes ahead for Google in Switzerland. Until now, the tech giant could use Swiss media content for free – but that’s about to change.

The Federal Council plans to amend the Copyright Act, forcing platforms to pay for news content.

A study says Google could owe Swiss outlets over CHF 150m a year.

A collective group would handle the payments – ensuring small publishers and regional journalists get their fair share.

Unlike the EU, Switzerland won’t ban access – but platforms will have to pay to play.

More from Bitesize News

Geneva could foot the G7 bill

Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.
US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.
French singer banned by Paleo

The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
Cars going uninspected

The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.
War may lead to rent rises

Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.
Not a heatwave, yet

Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.