Dataförmedling

Dataförmedling is a Swedish term that translates to "data brokering" or "data intermediation". It refers to the business of collecting, organizing, and selling data, often personal data, to third parties. Dataförmedling companies act as intermediaries between data collectors and data users. They gather information from various sources, such as public records, online activity, and purchased datasets, and then aggregate, analyze, and package this data for sale to businesses for purposes like marketing, risk assessment, and identity verification.

The practice of dataförmedling raises significant privacy concerns. The data collected can include sensitive personal information, and its sale and use by third parties may occur without the explicit knowledge or consent of the individuals whose data is being handled. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe aim to provide individuals with more control over their personal data and place restrictions on how it can be collected, processed, and shared, impacting the dataförmedling industry. Critics argue that the opaque nature of data brokering makes it difficult for individuals to understand who has their data and how it is being used, leading to potential misuse and security risks.