Continued and extended opportunities for secret data interception

The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government’s proposal that secret data interception to combat serious offences should continue to be permitted. According to the proposal, certain rules will be clarified and in some cases the opportunities to use secret data interception will be extended. 

The proposal means, among other things:

• the act will apply without any time limits;
• it will be possible to use secret data interception in a greater number of cases with the purpose of investigating who may be reasonably suspected of an offence;
• the rules as to what type of data may be obtained will be clarified;
• the rules for the way permits for secret data interception are formulated will be clarified;
• superfluous information that emerges in connection secret data interception may be used for other purposes;
• the legal rights of the individual will be strengthened. For example, through better opportunities for transparency and supervision.

The current legislation will cease to apply on 31 March 2025. It is proposed that the amendments come into force on 1 April 2025.

At the same time, the Riksdag rejected several private members’ motions, including a motion received during the general private members’ motions period 2024.