All parliamentary parties, except the Center Party and a left-wing party member, supported the amendments to the law, which means, among other things, that foreign security services from the turn of the year will have direct access to personal data collected by the Armed Forces and the Swedish Defense Radio (FRA).
This if it is considered necessary in connection with international cooperation against, for example, terrorism.
In addition, the requirement is taken that signal reconnaissance may only take place when it threatens Sweden or Swedish interests.
The decision comes despite a ruling from the European Court of Justice from earlier this spring.
Criticism: "Very strange"
The ruling stated that the FRA Act in three respects contravenes the European Convention regarding the protection of individuals' right to personal integrity, one of which is the lack of protection of the individual's integrity when Sweden shares data with other countries.
- It is very strange that you extend this law, before you have even fixed the problems that the European Court highlights, says Fredrik Bergman, head of the organization Center for Justice, which has run the process in the European Court for 13 years.
The deadline has expired
On Thursday, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs gave its answer on the measures that have been taken to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, which monitors the implementation of the European Court of Justice's rulings.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden has now "partially" changed the law in line with what the court requested.
It is also pointed out that the government has promised to appoint an inquiry to review the other shortcomings.
“In the review, e.g.
the need for measures in connection with the European Court's decision is included, ”says the Foreign Ministry's press service in a written response to SVT Nyheter and adds that further analysis work on the decision is ongoing within the Government Offices.
But that is not enough, says Fredrik Bergman at the Center for Justice.
- It is good that you have done a little, but you should have done more at once.
The priority should have been to solve the problems according to the European Court of Justice's ruling, instead of giving the FRA an extended mandate to collect even more privacy-sensitive information, he says.
- At the same time, they have postponed the future to correct the shortcomings they have identified.
I think this shows a lack of respect for the European Court of Justice's ruling.
SVT Nyheter has contacted the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, which asked to return with a comment.