What we learned from Almedalen 2026

A new regulatory framework for background screening

The Swedish Government's ongoing inquiry into a new regulatory framework for employment screening was a natural starting point in several of the seminars we attended during Almedalen Week. The discussions focused on how public and private organisations can protect themselves against infiltration and undue influence while safeguarding individual privacy.

Sweden's Minister for Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, identified infiltration and corruption as two of the most important priorities in the continued fight against organised crime. He emphasised that both public and private organisations need better tools to identify risks, and that the Government is therefore working to establish a clearer legal framework for background screening.

Today's situation is widely regarded as a legal grey area. Gunnar Strömmer referred to the legal uncertainty created by, among other things, the Swedish Supreme Court's ruling on legal databases and the Parliamentary Ombudsman's (JO) criticism of Södertälje Municipality's background screening practices. There is uncertainty about what types of background screening employers are permitted to carry out and how information may be used. Several panellists also stressed that reputable background screening providers need clearer rules in order to support employers in a legally compliant manner.

Organised crime is increasingly infiltrating the private sector

A recurring theme throughout the seminars was that organised crime is no longer solely a matter for law enforcement. It is increasingly affecting both public organisations and the private sector. Several speakers described this development as a threat to Sweden's social model, with criminal networks seeking to gain access to information, influence decision-making and exploit businesses for their own benefit.

The discussion also highlighted that insider threats are far more complex than simply hiring an individual with criminal connections. Businesses can be exploited as tools to access critical functions, influence procurement processes, obtain sensitive information or distort fair competition. As a result, legitimate companies risk being pushed aside by organisations that do not operate under the same rules.

Several speakers also pointed to how the threat landscape is evolving alongside digitalisation. "Data is the new gold" was a recurring message, reflecting the fact that information theft has in many cases become more valuable than traditional property crime. At the same time, rapid advances in AI are giving organised crime new opportunities to operate more efficiently and at greater scale.

Background screening should be part of an ongoing security strategy

Another key point raised during the seminars was that insider threats rarely emerge overnight. An employee may have no criminal intent when they are hired, but the risk profile can change over time due to factors such as financial difficulties or undue influence. This places greater demands on employers to adopt a systematic approach to security, risk assessment and security culture throughout the entire employment lifecycle—not just during recruitment.

Sweden's Minister for Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, described background screening as a key element in the fight against organised crime and emphasised the need for a clearer legal framework. As he put it, the goal is to "create clarity in the regulatory framework and establish a solid legal basis for working systematically with background screening."

A background screening conducted during recruitment provides only a snapshot of an individual's situation at that point in time. It says very little about the risks that may arise later during employment, for example as a result of changing personal circumstances, financial difficulties or undue influence from criminal networks.

Several panellists therefore stressed that background screening should be viewed as part of an ongoing, risk-based security strategy, particularly in organisations operating within critical sectors. At the same time, they emphasised that ongoing screening must be supported by a clear legal framework and applied in a proportionate manner.

Background screening should be complemented by an active security strategy

Several panellists emphasised that background screening is an important tool, but that it can never replace a systematic approach to security. While background screening can help identify certain risks, it cannot predict everything. An employee may be hired with no known risk factors but later face financial difficulties, become the target of undue influence or be recruited by criminal networks, resulting in a change to their risk profile.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of a strong security culture, clear leadership and continuous risk management. Effective prevention also requires robust access management, educating employees to recognise undue influence and fostering a culture where reporting concerns and irregularities is encouraged.

Information sharing and collaboration will be key

Another recurring theme throughout the seminars was that tackling organised crime requires closer collaboration between government agencies, municipalities and the private sector. Several speakers argued that today's threat landscape places new demands on how information is shared and how different stakeholders work together.

Sweden's Minister for Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, highlighted information sharing as an area where the Government sees a continued need for reform. To identify and manage risks effectively, employers, public authorities and other organisations need better opportunities to share relevant information within a clear and legally sound framework.

Several panellists also pointed out that the current understanding of the threat landscape remains incomplete. Without a comprehensive picture of the risks, it becomes more difficult to implement effective measures and prioritise resources where they will have the greatest impact.