Myndighetsändamål

Myndighetsändamål, a Swedish term, translates to "authority purposes" or "official purposes." It refers to the use of personal data or information by a public authority for the specific tasks and responsibilities that fall under its legal mandate. This concept is fundamental to data protection regulations in Sweden and the European Union, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

When a myndighet (authority) collects or processes personal data, it must do so for a legitimate and clearly defined myndighetsändamål. This purpose must be lawful, explicit, and necessary for the authority to carry out its public tasks. Examples include processing tax information for tax assessment, handling social security benefits, processing criminal records for law enforcement, or managing permits and licenses.

The processing of data for myndighetsändamål is subject to strict rules. Authorities must inform individuals about how their data is being used, for what purpose, and their rights concerning that data. Transparency and accountability are key principles. Furthermore, data collected for a specific myndighetsändamål cannot typically be used for unrelated purposes without a new legal basis or explicit consent, unless permitted by law. This ensures that personal information is not misused and that public authorities act within the bounds of their authority.