Sweden prohibits private photography
STOCKHOLM
Sweden prohibits from 1 July all photography or film in the private sphere, even if the images are taken on the street, in the garden or for example during birthday parties at home. There should be only such pictures taken when the people in the photo or video have given their prior consent. The Swedish government confirmed this Thursday after the bill was ratified by parliament.
Journalists and press photographers fear that the new law will be used to limit their watchdog function and thus curb press freedom. Formally, the law makes an exception for news, but according to the Swedish journalists union, the conditions are unclear.