'Criminalize offensive online comments'
Published: 14 Jan 13 13:15 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/45606/20130114/
Sweden needs stronger legislation to deter internet bullying, the country's data privacy agency has argued, calling for tougher penalties for offensive comments posted online.
- WyWallet cancels mobile payment policy (1 Jun 13)
- Sweden 'must raise its net freedom profile' (30 May 13)
- 'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake' (21 May 13)
"A general criminal penalty would be a tool to help deter these insults."
The agency submitted its recommendations after the government asked for a review of laws on freedom of speech and the press in Sweden.
Currently, websites operated by media companies are protected by free speech clauses included in Sweden's constitution.
However, other websites such as blogs can also claim similar constitutional protections from charges of defamation or slander if the publisher is registered with the Swedish Patent and Registration Administration (PRV).
The Data Inspection Board wants Sweden to adopt legislation to criminalize the posting of extremely offensive and insulting comments on websites regardless of whether they are covered by Sweden's free speech protections.
"It shouldn't make a difference whether serious insults and privacy violations take place within or outside of areas protected by the constitution," said Gräslund.
"A general criminal penalty would help create a balance between freedom of speech and protecting people's privacy."
The Local/dl
Follow The Local on Twitter
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Swedish addicts could get glass 'free zone'
Politicians in the small Swedish town of Falköping want to give alcoholics and drug users a glass-encased zone in the middle of a central square, saying it would lessen public disturbances and allow "the down and out" to socialize. READ () »
EU probes SAS airline over state aid
The European Commission opened an in-depth probe on Wednesday to see if state aid given to Scandinavian Airlines by Sweden and Denmark conformed to EU rules. READ () »
Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers
In The Local's new Fashion Fix column on Swedish trends, Englishwoman Victoria Hussey gets up close and personal with shoes - namely "brothel creepers" from WWII that have been making a steady return to Stockholm pavements. READ () »
Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug
Imported frozen raspberries should be boiled before eaten according to new advice from Sweden's National Food Agency, which warns that the berries may carry the novo virus that is more known for causing winter vomiting disease. READ () »
Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days
A deceased patient who had no relatives was left in a room for five days at the Örebro University Hospital before staff realized the body was still there. READ () »
Scab row as students disrupt bus strike
Stockholm bus traffic was at a standstill Wednesday as drivers launched a major strike at midnight, but a group of Conservative youths disrupted the action by replacing a bus route between two of the city's major hospitals. READ () »
Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site
Sweden Democrat MP Kent Ekeroth has to pay tax for money sent to his bank account as donations to two far-right websites that he claims to have nothing to do with editorially. READ () »
Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish
For some foreigners living in Sweden, a natural "inner Swede" can develop that often doesn't show its face until you're back home again. The Local's Patrick Reilly lists the top ten ways this inner-Swede can change your life. READ () »
- 13/06 Bildt: surveillance in Sweden 'not like Prism' »
- 13/06 Swedish workers dig up 400-year-old soldier »
- 12/06 Facebook starts Swedish servers amid NSA fears »
- 12/06 Vasaloppet brings risk of irregular heartbeat: study »
- 11/06 Bacteria pose 'ever greater risk' to Sweden »
- 10/06 Gonorrhea cases on the rise in Sweden »
- 09/06 Swedish email subject to US surveillance: report »
- 08/06 EU rules could turn Xmas ham grey: report »
- 08/06 Sun shines as wedding fever grips Stockholm »
- 08/06 Adult brain continues to produce cells: study »
| 19/06 | GE Money Bank söker en senior riskanalytikerGE Money Bank | Danderyd, STHM |
| 19/06 | Lighting Category DirectorSchneider Electric | Malmö, SKÅ |
| 19/06 | Senior Electrical EngineerEuropean Spallation Source ESS AB | SKÅ |
| 19/06 | Senior Manager/Manager with Finance, Risk & Regulatory experience within Banking and Capital MarketsBearingPoint SE | Stockholm, STHM |
| 19/06 | Solution Architect to Teracom GroupTeracom Group | Stockholm, STHM |
| 19/06 | Staff EngineerPoolia AB | Lund, SKÅ |
- 19/06 Dentist cut off own finger for insurance cash »
- 19/06 Nuclear cuts top Obama's Berlin speech »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 19/06 Breakthough in hunt for serial arsonist in Brittany »
- 19/06 France maps out defence for war on mosquitos »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
- 19/06 Norwegian airline to offer free water on long flights »
- 18/06 American tourist dies in Arctic cruise mishap »
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 19/06 Parliament plays ping pong with 'Lex USA' »
- 19/06 No shame for Swiss jobless: an insider's look »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
- GE Money Bank söker en senior riskanalytiker
- Lighting Category Director
- Senior Electrical Engineer
- Senior Manager/Manager with Finance, Risk & Regulatory experience within Banking and Capital Markets
- Solution Architect to Teracom Group
- Staff Engineer
- Strong Developer within Java to 3!
- Development Engineer Polymer Materials
- Goodyear Dunlop Tires Nordic - Head of Business Control
- Platform Manager
This weeks results..week 24/25 »
"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »
- 05/6 13:52 The Golden Thread (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 29/5 09:11 IKEA UK: Swedish furniture giant stomps gnomes. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- GE Money Bank söker en senior riskanalytiker
- Lighting Category Director
- Senior Electrical Engineer
- Senior Manager/Manager with Finance, Risk & Regulatory experience within Banking and Capital Markets
- Solution Architect to Teracom Group
- Staff Engineer
- Strong Developer within Java to 3!
- Development Engineer Polymer Materials
- Goodyear Dunlop Tires Nordic - Head of Business Control
- Platform Manager
- 18:25 Romanian beggers everywhere in Stockholm
- 17:02 Exchanging a old car for a new one, taxes?
- 16:29 Gothenburg road tax
- 16:05 A funny pic about Jimmie Åkesson
- 15:03 Swedish rail strike
- 14:30 Planning on moving to Sweden from USA
- 14:25 Is Edward Snowden Victim Of Chinese Honey-Trap?
- 14:00 TMI (Travel Medical Insurance) companies in Sweden
- 13:03 BBC TV property show looking for participants!
- 13:03 Need some advice!
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
All offensive comments should be a criminal offence, inside Sweden and outside. Anyone in the world who thinks, says or writes anything that Sweden's Data Protection Board finds to be offensive should be criminalised.
That should sort the world out once and for all.
Your message offends me. Therefore you are a criminal.
That's by far the stupidest statement I've read in ages!
Might as well abolish the entire constitution, then.
be carefull with what you ask, you may get it.. think at the total implication of issues.
You can be sure that any legislation will in practice favour the powerful, the politician, over the average citizen.
There are also intractable problems with criminalising offensive comments - 'Jesus in not the son of god' will offend some Christians while the converse 'Jesus is the son of god' will deeply offend some Muslims.
For any restriction on free speach the bar has to be set very much higher than merely giving offensive as what is offensive is highly subjective and the truth can be offensive.
Then I remembered: 1984!