New surveillance programme

Swedish 'Big Brother' Law

Possible implications aren't clear yet, but Peter Fleischer, Google's spokesman is announcing withdrawal from the Swedish market, valuating new law as one to be compared with government eavesdropping measures in China, Saudi Arabia and USA. Media in Sweden will have to face problem of protecting their sources from being identified as they're exploring possibilities of communication other than through emails and phones. European Federation of Journalists is arguing that new law is stepping out of the frame of international and European legal standards


By DANICA VLAČIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


Sweden has introduced new law, which will allow surveillance over international calls, emails, faxes and text messages of their citizens. Narrow majority concentrated around center-right Government gave National Defense Radio Establishment the right to eavesdrop cross-border traffic activities without court orders starting from January.

Many protesters have gathered to object such measures, naming this controversial law as 'Orwellian', 'Big brother' Law, pointing out at George Orwell's '1984' novel, feeling that their society is turning into police state. MPs that voted out this Bill, are hoping to contribute to fight against international criminal and terrorism, adding that this will not affect domestic traffic, while opponents are pointing out that there are not technical possibilities to divide international from domestic traffic.

The law was first introduced in 2005, but failed to follow up with legal implications, until now that the Bill is approved in a 143-138 votes proportion after intensive debate with Social Democrats and Green Party members that were against this law. Sweden's National Defense Radio Establishment(FRA), in the favour of Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defence, the Military Intelligence, and the Security Police, will be empowered even to monitor websites visited by their citizens.

Possible implications aren't clear yet, but Peter Fleischer, Google's spokesman is announcing withdrawal from the Swedish market, valuating new law as one to be compared with government eavesdropping measures in China, Saudi Arabia and USA.

New system of surveillance will also affect media in Sweden, since they'll have to face problem of protecting their sources from being identified as they're exploring possibilities of communication other than through emails and phones. European Federation of Journalists is arguing that new law is stepping out of the frame of international and European legal standards.

At the same time, Internet data and calls passing through Sweden on its way to Scandinavian countries would also fall within the jurisdiction of the government intelligence agents.

Adoption of the new Swedish surveillance programme came as an epilogue in a highly heated debate, especially after Max Andersson, Swedish MP, accused FRA of having started with eavesdropping activities even before the new law actually got into legal procedure.


(Published: 10.07.2008.)