In a move that marks a major shift in Swedish administrative policy, the government has proposed a new law that would abolish secrecy rules between all public authorities. The aim is to enhance information sharing in the fight against organized crime, welfare fraud, and other illicit activities. The draft bill, presented on Friday, introduces a general secrecy-breaking provision that would allow authorities to share data about individuals more freely.
Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (Moderaterna) described the measure as “a very important step,” emphasizing that key information often remains siloed within individual agencies. “The proposal gives all authorities broader capabilities to share information in order to detect and stop criminal and shady activities,” Strömmer said during a press conference, alongside representatives from the other Tidö Agreement parties.
Information sharing to become the new norm
Under the proposed legislation, information sharing would no longer be the exception but the rule. The change is expected to affect all levels of government, including municipalities and regions, as well as private law entities like unemployment funds (a-kassor) and some service providers.
Significantly, the law will also apply to information currently protected under social services secrecy (socialtjänstsekretess), which means sensitive data about vulnerable individuals may be shared with law enforcement. However, secrecy within healthcare remains protected. A mandatory weighing of interests will be required before any data is disclosed, to ensure that disclosures do not unnecessarily infringe on personal privacy.
A system-wide shift with broad implications
The legislation represents a systemic transformation, shifting from a default of non-disclosure to a culture of transparency within public administration. Adam Marttinen (Sverigedemokraterna), a member of the Justice Committee, called it a “paradigm shift.”
The reform builds on previous changes. As of April 1, schools, municipalities, and regional authorities were already obligated to share certain information with law enforcement agencies, either upon request or proactively. Now, the Government seeks to consolidate and expand these obligations across the board.
Balancing crime prevention with privacy concerns
While the government argues the measure is essential in light of growing societal challenges, the proposal has triggered strong criticism from several quarters. The Swedish Association of Graduate Professionals (Akademikerförbundet SSR), which represents many of the country’s social workers, warned that the change could erode trust in public institutions.
“Too many people will not seek social services’ help if they know that all information about them will go directly to the police,” said SSR Chairperson Heike Erkers.
Critics, including integrity protection authorities, have highlighted significant risks of overreach, warning that the new law could lead to unnecessary and invasive breaches of privacy. Civil Minister Erik Slottner (Kristdemokraterna) responded by affirming the government’s commitment to proportionality:
“We must not go further than necessary. Personal integrity remains important.”
Legislation scheduled to take effect December 1
The new law is set to come into force on December 1, 2025, pending parliamentary approval. It will be accompanied by regulatory frameworks to guide agencies in balancing data sharing with individual rights.
As Sweden tightens its grip on criminal networks and welfare abuse, this legislative overhaul could become a model for other nations grappling with similar challenges—though not without sparking debate over the fine line between security and civil liberties.
