Widespread protests against Swedish wire-tapping law

By Jordan Shilton 19 July 2008 With protests against Sweden’s new surveillance law rising, the Justice Center (CFR) announced July 14 it would file a case against the legislation in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The bill permits the intelligence services to monitor telephone, e-mail and Internet communications that cross Sweden’s borders. It was voted into law late on June 18, after a short delay forced by rebels from the government parties. Earlier that day, the proposal was sent back to the parliamentary defence committee where a number of token concessions were attached to the bill, which was enough to convince those MPs to vote in favour. The measure passed by 143 votes to 138, with 1 abstention. From the beginning of June, groups on social networking websites and other Internet sites began organising... [read full story]