Investigating use of data

Understanding what Swiss companies do with our data

Our data is collected daily and systematically by applications belonging to federal agencies, historical cooperatives or insurers. Their pitch is reassuring: they only use information linked to our purchases, our mobility or our medical data in order to «adapt their offer to our needs». This is information that we would like to test and verify.

We would like to confront these organisations with what they claim. It’s a major survey, but one that’s difficult to carry out because companies don’t readily answer our questions.

So we need time. Enough time to insist, to go down other investigative paths when the doors are closed. This requires efforts that an independent media like Heidi.news cannot make without substantial financial support.

Several journalists will be working on this investigation for several months.

We promise to put all our energy into it, with the tenacity that characterises us. We will provide you with a high-quality investigation that will give you greater clarity on this subject, which is so important for democracy and our fundamental freedoms.

With the support of the Foundation for Innovation and Diversity in Information, Heidi.news is taking action and launching the «My Cumulus Life» project, with a single objective: to inform the public about the collection and use of our personal data by federal agencies, health insurers and companies that are part of our daily lives.

Support an independent media for a public interest investigation

Heidi.news is an independent, advertising-free media, run by a team of experienced journalists with scientific backgrounds in engineering, geography or IT. The team also includes a graphic designer, a video-maker and communication and business development managers, who help to ensure that our investigations reach as many people as possible.

This team seeks to make an impact in favour of the public interest. It is the lifeblood of a media with an investigative remit in an economic sector where it is difficult, if not impossible, for newspapers to exist without private or advertising support.

This is why we need backing for.

All the funds raised will go to the editorial team working on this investigation and to its distribution. Our aim is to publish a weekly article providing you with verified information.

We have estimated the budget for this survey at CHF 67,000: around CHF 45,000 to pay for the texts and photos of a team of journalists in the field.

CHF 12,000 to publish the survey on the web and in print, so that the information is accessible to the general public, for all generations, in Switzerland and around the world.

So we’re launching this crowdfunding campaign with an initial target of CHF 10,000. But this survey will require perseverance. «Ma vie Cumulus: ces entreprises suisses qui collectent vos données» (My Cumulus life: these Swiss companies that collect your data) will only be possible if the project is extended over several months. The second target is therefore CHF 20,000 and the third CHF 40,000.

If you would like to use this platform to cover a full month of the project, we will be happy to contact you to express our gratitude for your generosity.

Thank you in advance, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.