Public Registries as Tools for Realising the Swedish Welfare State : Can the State still Be Trusted?

Sweden has a long tradition of transparency and keeping public archives registries for the benefit society at large. Access to comprehensive information, including with containing individualised data, been an integral part in building Swedish welfare state. An important explanatory factor acceptance is high level social trust society, that citizens large extent each other, government authorities other institutions society. Over last few decades, changes have taken place connected digitalisation increased awareness possible privacy intrusion may follow. A number “register scandals” unearthed media, involving both private entities. In order protect cultural heritage accessible information retain trust, legislator should carefully balance interest against right data protection following case law European Court Human Rights EU law.