Therefore, whoever collects personal data directly from a citizen must inform the person about all uses of the data beyond the obvious purpose for which it has been authorized. In principle, anybody can discover who holds personal data about him or her, and has the right to verify such data. Furthermore, beginning last summer, the data protection office reports each year on its activities. The report can be obtained at the government printing office EDMZ in Berne for SWF 12.
Documents are in French and German, with Italian soon to be added.
Future plans include adding EDSB's yearly reports and the full text of the law. New copyright legislation went into effect on July 1, 1994. The Congregation of Swiss High Schools and the Swiss University, however, have been successful in negotiating contracts with major software suppliers that treat their institutions with very preferential tariffs.