STOCKHOLM (Sputnik) — The Swedish government intends to toughen its anti-terrorism legislation, proposing to allow the law enforcement agencies to collect information about its citizens among other measures, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said Thursday.
“Efforts would be made to ensure that the authorities are given a new tool for collecting information, conducting biometric passport control and accessing CCTV data near vulnerable places," Lofven told journalists.
Under the draft bill, new powers will be granted to law enforcement agencies such as wiretapping of encrypted Internet resources, like Skype and Viber software programs, and implementing compulsory biometric controls at the EU external borders, the prime minister said.
Sweden intends to propose the issue of biometric control for discussion at the meeting of the EU interior ministers, scheduled for Friday, according to Lofven.
The proposals were made following the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, when several extremists carrying automatic weapons and wearing explosive belts executed a series of coordinated attacks at venues across Paris, killing 129 people and injuring over 350, at restaurants, the Bataclan concert hall and in the vicinity of the Stade de France stadium.
