Am I allowed to record a conversation in Sweden?
Yes — you may secretly record a conversation you yourself take part in, without notifying the other party. Sweden has one-party consent. The offence of unlawful eavesdropping (Penal Code ch. 4 §9a) requires secretly recording a conversation between others that you do not take part in — if you take part it is not an offence. Secretly filming someone in a private space is a separate crime (offensive photography). Remember: being allowed to make a recording is one thing; being allowed to share it is another — then GDPR and defamation rules apply.
📋 The rules
- One-party consent: record your own conversations — no duty to notify
- You may not secretly record a conversation between others
- Secret filming in a private space = offensive photography
- Filming/photographing in public is generally allowed
- Sharing a recording is a separate question (GDPR, defamation)
🔓 Exceptions
- Police/security service may eavesdrop secretly with a court order
- GDPR's private-use exemption applies until you spread the material
- Businesses must inform a caller if the call is recorded
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Unlawful eavesdropping: fines or up to 2 years prison. Offensive photography: fines or up to 2 years prison. Sharing a recording can also be defamation (Penal Code ch. 5) or breach GDPR.
📎 Official sources
- Penal Code (1962:700) · Riksdagen →
- IMY · Filming, photographing and publishing →
- Lagen.nu · Unlawful eavesdropping →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I record my own phone call?
Yes. You may secretly record a conversation you take part in, without telling the other party.
Must I say I am recording?
No, not as a private person in a conversation you are part of. But businesses must inform a caller.
Can I secretly record other people's conversations?
No. Secretly recording a conversation between others you do not take part in is unlawful eavesdropping.
Can I publish the recording?
Not freely. Sharing the material can breach GDPR or be defamation, even if the recording itself was lawful.
Can I film in a public place?
Yes, it is generally allowed, but publishing images of identifiable people can fall under GDPR.
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