The data set first appeared on the darknet in mid-May. It consisted of the subscribers’ information to the Swiss ReviewExternal link. The data set serves as a federal government magazine for Swiss citizen that keeps them updated on the recent developments of their home country.
Reportedly, the data consist of around 425,000 addresses, of which 40% were postal and the rest 60% were email addresses. Swiss Review is automatically sent to anyone who has registered in Switzerland as a citizen living abroad, either via email or by mail. Only 330,000 of the 800,000 Swiss Abroad, including Italian-speaking Swiss, do not receive the Swiss Review, according to the foreign ministry.
These addresses are handled by the Swiss foreign ministry in accordance with all data protection laws, as they are provided by Swiss consulates overseas and are not freely provided. Whereas individuals who are deregistered in Switzerland are required to declare their residential places abroad to the relevant Swiss representation. Thus, creating the subscriber base of Swiss Review.
While the Swiss government believes this consists of sensitive information that even the publisher of Swiss Review – SwissCommunity – may not have access to, the data set (or parts of it) can now be found in the darknet.
According to the foreign ministry, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs seems to have “no knowledge of how muc
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