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Wiretapping Bill Passes Swedish Parliament, 143 to 138

Posted by timothy on from the henceforth-it's-orkbay-orkbay dept.

Assar Bruno Boveri writes "Swedish lawmakers came down in favour of a fiercely debated surveillance bill in a vote at the Riksdag on Wednesday evening. Despite some cosmetic changes, Sweden's proposed surveillance law is still a monster, writes Pär Ström from the independent New Welfare Foundation." The Swedish newspaper DN (in Swedish; translations welcome) compares the implications of the proposed law with activities carried out by East Germany's Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (STASI).

8 of 326 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Obligatory by Penguinisto · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Swedish Chef muppet jokes aside (damn, I'm old)...


    There would likely be a lot less outrage from folks outside of Sweden, except for The Pirate Bay, Relakks, and a whole flock of other Swedish-related services that most of the entire Internet-using planet has an interest in.

    /P

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
  2. Anonymous Coward by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The entire Swedish government (okay, a distinct 143+ members) have just proven they are extremely hostile to the will, freedom, and safety of the Swedish people.

    They should be voted out of power immediately by No Confidence/Popular Referendum/whatever. Now!

    What they have just done goes against Everything the public has told them! They only succeeded by suppressing all media outlets for months - something so blatantly and grossly corrupt does not call for grumbling; it does not call for petitions; it calls for the immediate dis-bandment of the parliament, and re-election of public representatives; NOW ! Today/Tomorrow/Within the week !!!

        Also, the dominant party must not be voted into office next election.

  3. When I was young, I used to think... by Ortega-Starfire · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...that the US government really had it in for its citizens. Then later I discovered that even now in this post 9/11 world, we in the USA don't even hold a candle to the abusive modern governments that are out there, such as the UK, Australia, Sweden, and more!

    It makes me want to go into politics, try and change the system for the better, protect the liberties we still have here before even those get stolen by those in power, but each time I consider it, I think, "Do I want to let myself become like them?"

    How does one change one's government without being corrupted by the system? This is not just a question for those in any specific country to answer, but one every man and woman must consider.

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    ---- Liquid was a patriot ----
  4. Re:Wha? by ArcherB · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is what happens when countries vote in right-wing governments. Yes, that's right. Sweden has a right-wing government. Maybe not by US standards, but certainly by European standards. Yes! And the far left wing governments, like those in Soviet Russia, China, and Cuba are known for their championing of civil rights.

    Hell, even the left wing states like California, where they want the government to control the thermostat in your own home are known for their personal freedom records.
    --
    There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
  5. Re:Wha? by ArcherB · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is what happens when countries vote in right-wing governments. Yes, that's right. Sweden has a right-wing government. Maybe not by US standards, but certainly by European standards. Yes! And the far left wing governments, like those in Soviet Russia, China, and Cuba are known for their championing of civil rights.

    Hell, even the left wing states like California, where they want the government to control the thermostat in your own home are known for their personal freedom records. Only on slashdot, does the truth get modded troll.

    I think this exchange is proof that RightBad=Insightful and LeftBad=Troll in the minds of some mods.

    Remember, the first part of freedom is tolerating those that have different opinions than yourself and even defending their right to have those opinions. When I get downmodded for something like this, it proves to me that regardless of all the talk, /.'ers don't give a rat's ass about freedom of speech unless the speech agrees with them.

    --
    There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
  6. Re:Wha? by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Umm... you are aware that the nazis ain't exactly what you'd call left wing, right? Just checking...

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  7. Civil disobedience by j1976 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So far, the best suggestion I have heard for protesting against this law is to simply add fra@fra.se to the CC of every single mail you send. Hell, they want the mail so let's just sent it to them directly. The amusing thing about this is that FRA is a government agency and that this is their official address. By law they are required to register and archive all mail arriving on that address so that citizens asking for a mail later on can get it.

  8. Re:Wha? by __aavljf5849 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Not so. They vote no, because they no the public does not want this. They are EXTREMELY happy that the centre-right goverment takes the hit for this, otherwise they would have to.

    The socialists will now complain about this law all they way into goverment after the next election, when they will....do exactly nothing about it.

    Just as with everything else they complain about.
    That's swedish politics for you.