{"id":5412,"date":"2016-09-20T09:12:41","date_gmt":"2016-09-20T08:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hejsweden.com\/en\/?p=5412"},"modified":"2020-06-03T14:33:40","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T13:33:40","slug":"swedish-privacy-personal-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hejsweden.com\/en\/swedish-privacy-personal-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Swedish Privacy – What You Can’t Keep Secret When You Live in Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Do you like to share your age\u00a0with unknown people? Do you mind if\u00a0anyone can check your results from your previous studies just by calling your university? You answered the afore mentioned question with yes? Well, then it’s time to adjust to Swedish opinion on privacy.<\/p>\n

Don’t\u00a0bother\u00a0about secrecy and privacy<\/h3>\n

When Swedes\u00a0pay with their\u00a0credit card in a caf\u00e9 a caf\u00e9, they often don’t cover the keys when they type in the pin-code. They simply trust you that you\u00a0are no thieve or won’t even tell\u00a0any. (More about\u00a0“Be honest – How to be Swedish”<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Don’t even bother pulling the curtains at home when you walk around in sleeping gear or just\u00a0a towel, if you live in a forrest or more than 5 meters distance to your closest neighbor.<\/p>\n

More about Swedish culture & quirks, read my book<\/p>

\"Book<\/a><\/div>\n

\u201cHow to be Swedish<\/strong> \u2013 A Quick Guide to Swedishness \u2013 in 55 Steps<\/em>\u201d, here on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Who is driving that car in front of me?<\/em><\/h3>\n

Anyone in Sweden can check the name and resident city\u00a0of the owner of a vehicle just by sending an SMS with the registration number to the traffic agency. The system replies with the requested information. Great if someone parked on your personal\u00a0parking lot, or if you want to get in touch with a person who you had this intense eye-contact with\u00a0when you stopped at\u00a0the traffic lights.<\/p>\n

Consider it\u00a0ok<\/em> that your personal\u00a0information isn\u2019t private at all<\/h3>\n

In Sweden, the government and all state organisations follow a principle called the\u00a0offentlighetsprincipen<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0openness principle. Regulated by the tryckfrihetsf\u00f6rordning<\/em>\u00a0(freedom of press regulation)\u00a0it says that all public records have to be documented and made accessible to anyone.<\/p>\n

For example, any Swede can call your old university and ask for the results on your exams, without having to state one’s name. The employer of the organisation isn’t even allowed to ask for what reason you request this information.<\/p>\n

Generally, this principle was found to give the public the opportunity to control state processes.<\/p>\n

Of course there are processes that only few people have access to, like state\u00a0defense operations. So don’t expect to be able to replace your bed time thrillers with with public state documents.<\/p>\n

Anyone can check this information about you if you live in Sweden, simply online, they just need to know your first name, last name and city of residence.<\/p>\n