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Switzerland, Canton of Thurgau

Kantonspolizei Thurgau

Automated vehicle search and traffic surveillance (AFV) with number plate scanners

DiscontinuedJournalismPAI-9B27AFE3

Body
Kantonspolizei Thurgau
Country
Switzerland
Area
Canton of Thurgau
Technology
Automated vehicle search and traffic surveillance (AFV) with number plate scanners
Supplier
Not stated in the source
Status
Discontinued
Use has ended, on the evidence of a public source.
Stage
Withdrawn
Since
Not known
Legal basis
The Federal Supreme Court found Thurgau's legal basis for automated vehicle search insufficient (2019 ruling, reported by SRF).
Oversight
Federal Supreme Court.
Evidence
Journalism
Named reporting by a reputable outlet
Source
SRF, 31 October 2019
Last checked
Record code
PAI-9B27AFE3

Notes

SRF (31 October 2019) reported that after the Federal Supreme Court ruled that automatic plate scanning is a serious intrusion on informational self-determination and that Thurgau's legal basis was insufficient, Thurgau stopped using its scanners. The report describes Thurgau as a pioneer with several mobile and stationary devices, storing time, location, direction of travel and vehicle occupants. The same report says the cantons of Aargau and Solothurn each had one mobile scanner and decided to keep using it. A later Federal Supreme Court judgment (17 October 2024, BGE 151 I 137) annulled a Lucerne provision on such searches, as noted in the Zürich government's consultation response of 15 April 2026.

Automated vehicle search and traffic surveillance (AFV) with number plate scanners elsewhere in Switzerland

See them in the tracker
DeploymentCountrySupplierSinceStatusChecked
Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG)Automatic number plate recording at border crossings SwitzerlandFederal (about 170 border crossings) — — Operational
Kantonspolizei BernAutomated vehicle search (AFV) with number plate recognition SwitzerlandCanton of Bern — 2024 Operational