The government wants the police to have access to chats via social media to fight crime, something even TV4 reported on.
More specifically, the police can break the encryption in the apps, which previously existed to keep chats and conversations between two individuals completely private.
The proposal is currently out on a referral and if approved proposes the government that the law will enter into force on March 1, 2026.
But the bill can have consequences for the apps we Swedes use most.
WhatsApp, for example, has encrypted chats – something its owner Meta will not change whether the bill becomes reality.
It writes Janne ElvelidPolicy Manager Meta Sweden, to the journalist Emanuel Karlstenshowing the answer in TV4’s program News Morning.
“We do everything we can to support the police in their work against crime, but that does not mean that we will compromise with the security and integrity of our users. We are prepared to accept that our services cannot be available everywhere / in all countries if it is the price for maintaining the promise to the users that the message services should be secure.”
WhatsApp thus seems ready to leave Sweden if the law comes into force. But since the bill is out on a referral, it is currently unclear whether or not this will be the case.