New data protection and public information officer
The Federal Council has elected Adrian Lobsiger to succeed Hanspeter Thür as the new Data Protection and Public Information Commissioner. Subject to confirmation by the Federal Assembly, the 55-year-old lawyer and deputy director of the Federal Office of Police will take up his post in the course of next year.
On 18 November 2015, the Federal Council elected Adrian Lobsiger as the new Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). He is to succeed Hanspeter Thür, who is leaving office at the end of November 2015 after more than 14 years in office. During the transition period, Hanspeter Thür's deputy Jean-Philippe Walter will manage the affairs of the FDPIC.
Adrian Lobsiger is currently Deputy Director of the Federal Office of Police (fedpol). As Head of the Staff Division and the associated Legal and Data Protection Service, he helps to ensure that personal data in the Federal Office's information systems is processed in compliance with the law, particularly in dealings with domestic and foreign authorities. This core task in terms of data protection also includes drawing up the legal framework for IT projects and the use of new information technologies, as well as providing information in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the Public Information Act.
FDPIC independent?
The FDPIC is elected for a term of four years. He exercises his function independently and without instructions from any authority. He reports periodically and as required to the Federal Assembly and simultaneously transmits these reports to the Federal Council. The FDPIC is administratively attached to the Federal Chancellery (FC). The election procedure is governed by the "Federal Council directives of 28 November 2014 on the election of senior management by the Federal Council".
