Sweden Faces Transparency Challenges Amid EU Data Protection Rules, Says Verifiera CEO

Sweden's longstanding principle of public access to information is under strain due to conflicts with the EU's stringent data protection regulations. Peter Carpelan, CEO of Verifiera, a news agency specializing in public documents, warns that this tension risks eroding Sweden's competitive edge in openness and transparency, traditionally a cornerstone of its democracy and legal security. The Supreme Court recently ruled that court databases cannot be publicly accessed in their original form, a shift that compelled Verifiera to transform its offering into a legally compliant editorial legal news database, protected under freedom of expression laws, making it Sweden's largest legal news agency.

Carpelan highlights that demand for Verifiera's services has surged as businesses and organizations increasingly require trustworthy information to manage risks amid rising fraud and infiltration. He emphasizes that transparency has evolved from being solely a democratic principle to a critical business factor. However, Carpelan expresses serious concerns over the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) attempting to apply GDPR scrutiny to entities holding publishing permits, including Verifiera. He argues this move could undermine public trust by resulting in incomplete background checks and jeopardizing legal security, especially in sensitive sectors.

Despite these challenges, Carpelan remains optimistic, positioning Verifiera as a vital societal player advocating for openness, trust, and accountability in the evolving legal landscape. He urges a careful balance between privacy protection and the public's right to information to maintain Sweden's transparency advantage and legal certainty.