Skydlighet

Skydlighet is a term that appears in some Scandinavian discussions as a way to describe the quality or state of being protective or shielding against risk, harm, or intrusion. In policy, ethics, and information governance, it is used to capture how effectively a person, organization, or system acts to prevent negative outcomes for others, while navigating competing values such as transparency, autonomy, and efficiency. The concept is not widely standardized and is typically encountered in discourse rather than as a formal doctrine.

Etymology and usage notes

Skydlighet is a coined formation built from a root related to protection or shielding and the common Swedish suffix -lighet, which marks a qualitative state. It is not a term with a fixed definition in established dictionaries, and its precise sense can vary by author or field. In practice, writers may emphasize protective responsibility, risk mitigation, or the deterrence of harm, depending on the context.

Definitions and contexts

In information security and data governance, skydlighet can denote the degree to which systems implement protective measures—such as access controls, data minimization, encryption, and user consent—to shield users from risk. In ethics or public policy, it may refer to the obligation to act as a guardian for vulnerable groups, balancing protection with respect for autonomy and rights. The concept is often discussed alongside related ideas like safety, privacy, and responsibility and is typically described in qualitative terms rather than through formal metrics.

See also

Protection, security, privacy, responsibility, guardianship.