New Technology Raises Employee Surveillance Stress and Sparks Safety Debate in Sweden

Recent developments in workplace and public safety technologies in Sweden have prompted significant discussion about employee surveillance stress and the implications of so-called safety technologies. A report by the trade union Handels reveals that 30% of retail employees and 51% of warehouse workers feel increased surveillance due to the introduction of new technological systems. Carl-Henric Jaktlund, a store owner in Falköping, sharply criticized excessive monitoring, emphasizing the need for preserving employees’ personal spaces free from constant observation, noting the absurdity of employees feeling watched even during basic personal actions.

Concurrently, researchers at Stockholm University are examining the societal impact and ethical concerns of digital safety technologies, including security apps and monitoring systems. Led by criminologist Katarina Winter, the research projects "Promises and Consequences of Safety Technologies" and "Priorities and Knowledge in Digital Crime Prevention" critically assess these technologies beyond mere effectiveness metrics. They highlight the normalization of surveillance practices, such as parents monitoring children via tracking apps often without the children’s knowledge, raising deep ethical dilemmas.

The study also scrutinizes the CoSafe app, a safety tool used during a school shooting event, which faced criticism over confusing instructions that questioned its reliability in emergencies. Moreover, Winter points out how the safety technology market thrives on public fears, often targeting wealthier consumers while neglecting broader societal safety issues. She advocates for a balanced discourse integrating ethical, democratic, and social considerations rather than uncritically accepting these technologies as inherently beneficial.

Together, these developments underline a growing tension in Swedish workplaces and society where new technologies intended to enhance safety and efficiency also intensify feelings of surveillance and raise profound questions about privacy, ethical use, and genuine safety benefits.