Swisscows
Swiss family-friendly search engine with built-in content filtering, no tracking, and data stored in Swiss data centers
Quick Overview
| Company | Hulbee AG |
|---|---|
| Category | Search Engine |
| Headquarters | Egnach, Switzerland |
| EU Presence | Yes - Switzerland (GDPR adequate) |
| Data Centers | Switzerland (Swiss Alps bunker) |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Main Features | Family-friendly filtering, no tracking, Swiss data storage, semantic search, image and video search |
| Pricing | Free |
| Best For | Families, schools, and organizations seeking a safe, private search experience for all ages |
| Replaces | Google, Bing, Google SafeSearch |
Detailed Review
Swisscows is a Swiss search engine developed by Hulbee AG in Egnach, Switzerland. Launched in 2014, it distinguishes itself through a unique combination of privacy protection and family-friendly content filtering. While most privacy-focused search engines simply remove tracking, Swisscows goes further by actively filtering out pornographic, violent, and other harmful content, making it particularly suitable for families, schools, and organizations that need a safe search environment.
Family-Friendly by Design
Swisscows' content filtering is not an optional feature that can be toggled off; it is built into the core of the search engine. The system uses semantic analysis and machine learning to identify and filter inappropriate content before it reaches users. This includes explicit sexual content, extreme violence, and other material considered harmful for children. Unlike Google's SafeSearch, which can be disabled, Swisscows' filtering is permanent and cannot be bypassed.
This approach makes Swisscows ideal for educational environments and family computers where parents want to ensure their children cannot access inappropriate content. Schools across Europe have adopted Swisscows as a safe search option for student devices. Libraries and youth organizations also use it to provide internet access without the risk of exposing young users to harmful material.
Swiss Privacy and Data Protection
Swisscows stores all data in Switzerland, specifically in a high-security data center built in a former military bunker in the Swiss Alps. Switzerland has some of the world's strongest data protection laws, and data stored there is not subject to US surveillance laws or GDPR jurisdiction (though Switzerland is recognized as providing adequate protection under GDPR). This Swiss location provides exceptional privacy guarantees for users.
The company maintains a strict no-tracking policy. Swisscows does not store IP addresses, does not use tracking cookies, and does not create user profiles. Search queries are processed anonymously with no connection to individual users. The company does not collect personal data and has no ability to identify who made any given search query.
Semantic Search Technology
Swisscows uses semantic search technology developed by its parent company Hulbee. Rather than simply matching keywords, the system attempts to understand the meaning and context of search queries. This can provide more relevant results for natural language queries and helps the content filtering system better understand the intent behind searches.
The search results combine Swisscows' own technology with results from Bing, filtered through their content filtering system. Image and video search are also available, with the same family-friendly filtering applied. A unique feature is the search cloud visualization, which shows related terms and topics to help users explore and refine their searches.
Additional Products and Services
Beyond search, Swisscows offers complementary privacy-focused services. HES (Hulbee Enterprise Search) provides secure search solutions for businesses. The company also offers Teleguard, an encrypted messaging app, and VPN services. These additional products share Swisscows' commitment to Swiss privacy standards and family values.
Swisscows is available as a web search engine, and browser extensions are provided for easy access. Mobile apps for iOS and Android allow users to make Swisscows their default search on smartphones and tablets. For families seeking a comprehensive approach to online safety, Swisscows provides a foundation that can be combined with other parental control tools.
Alternatives to Swisscows
Looking for other family-friendly or privacy-focused search engines? Here are some alternatives worth considering:
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Swisscows' family-friendly content filter is built into the search engine and cannot be disabled. This is by design, ensuring that the search engine remains safe for all users, including children, without the risk of filters being bypassed.
Swisscows stores all data in a secure data center in Switzerland, specifically in a former military bunker in the Swiss Alps. Swiss data protection laws are among the strongest in the world, and data there is not subject to US or EU surveillance laws.
No, Swisscows has a strict no-tracking policy. It does not store IP addresses, use tracking cookies, or create user profiles. All searches are processed anonymously with no way to identify individual users.
Yes, Swisscows is widely used in schools across Europe. Its built-in content filtering ensures students cannot access inappropriate content, while the no-tracking policy protects student privacy. Schools can set Swisscows as the default search engine on all devices.
Swisscows combines its own semantic search technology with results from Bing. All results are processed through Swisscows' content filtering system before being displayed to users. This provides comprehensive results while maintaining family-friendly standards.
Unlike Google SafeSearch, which can be turned off, Swisscows' filtering is permanent and cannot be bypassed. Additionally, Swisscows does not track users while Google continues to collect data even with SafeSearch enabled. For families wanting guaranteed safe search, Swisscows provides stronger protection.