Sensitive technology to be mapped and protected

To ensure that sensitive new Swedish technology does not end up in, for example, China, the scrutiny of foreign company acquisitions is being tightened. FOI is now tasked with mapping technologies that should be protected.

» Updated: October 04 2024

» Published: September 15 2024

Sensitive technology to be mapped and protected
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Through this measure, we are strengthening Sweden's security, economic security, and Sweden's long-term competitiveness, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).

Since the end of last year, a regulatory framework has been in place to review foreign direct investments in Swedish companies and potentially prohibit them if they pose a security risk. The review is conducted by the Inspectorate for Strategic Products, ISP.

Broad scope

Now, the government is giving the Total Defense Research Institute, FOI, the task of assisting ISP with its technical expertise to map out cutting-edge technology in Swedish companies that need to be protected from hostile foreign ownership.

This may involve socially critical technology, for example, for green transition. It may concern technology that can be used both civically and militarily. For example, algorithms linked to AI.

So, it's a broad scope of technologies that will need to be reviewed, says Jonson.

Swedish legislation does not target specific countries, but Russia, China, and Iran have been identified as engaging in systematic intelligence gathering and security-threatening activities against Sweden.

Strategic acquisitions

According to the military intelligence service, Must, China is acquiring high-tech capabilities through strategic acquisitions, among other means.

We can establish that there is an increased intelligence threat against Sweden, says Jonson.

Therefore, we need to build stronger resistance to this, not least when it comes to foreign direct investments.

A foreign actor who wants to invest in certain socially critical or security-sensitive activities must notify ISP. So far, ISP has decided to review 20 cases. No investment has been prohibited yet, but two have been approved with conditions.

To carry out its new task, FOI will receive an additional four million kronor next year.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Summer House Buyers Urged to
3 MIN READ

Summer House Buyers Urged to Consider Climate Risks in Sweden

Traffic Resumes in Stockholm Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Traffic Resumes in Stockholm Tunnel After Lorry Accident

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on
1 MIN READ

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on Gender Equality and Safety

Liberals' Jakob Olofsgård Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Liberals' Jakob Olofsgård Steps Down as Party Secretary

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as
3 MIN READ

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as Minister to Prioritize Family Life

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope
5 MIN READ

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope for Phantom Pain Relief

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean
2 MIN READ

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean Protection Treaty

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor
2 MIN READ

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor to Support Helicopter Rescue Services

Social Democrats Propose State Investment
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Propose State Investment Bank to Boost Growth

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading
2 MIN READ

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading to Replace Reduction Obligation

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down After Journal System Setback

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to Combat Rising Crime

Man Faces Charges for Online
1 MIN READ

Man Faces Charges for Online Child Sexual Offenses in Sweden

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care
3 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care for Ica Maxi Employee Murder

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Rise in Children Contacting Bris
1 MIN READ

Rise in Children Contacting Bris About Eating Disorders Concerns Experts

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence
2 MIN READ

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence Cases in a Decade

New Tool Empowers Parents to
1 MIN READ

New Tool Empowers Parents to Combat Online Grooming Risks

Elderly Man's Death in Ale
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Ale Sparks Murder Investigation

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias
1 MIN READ

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias Exposed in Sportadmin Data Breach

Child Abuse Images Discovered on
1 MIN READ

Child Abuse Images Discovered on Computer at Swedish Repair Shop

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building, No Injuries Reported

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway Collision with A-Tractor

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved to High-Security Turkish Prison

SMHI Warns of High Grass
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of High Grass Fire Risk in Sweden's Snow-Free Regions

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey, Press Freedom at Risk

Man in His 30s Found
1 MIN READ

Man in His 30s Found Dead Outdoors in Norrköping; Murder Investigation Launched

Police Car and Fire Truck
1 MIN READ

Police Car and Fire Truck Crash on E4 Injures Officers

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Europol Looks to Sweden for
2 MIN READ

Europol Looks to Sweden for Tackling Digital Gang Crime

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch
1 MIN READ

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire in Strömstad Residence

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden
1 MIN READ

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden with Temperatures Over 20 Degrees

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap
3 MIN READ

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap to Capture Prey, Study Reveals

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of
3 MIN READ

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of Terrorism and Anti-Turkish Reporting

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges