integritetshot

Integritetshot is a term used in Swedish public discourse to refer to threats against personal integrity and privacy arising from digital technologies, data collection practices, and surveillance mechanisms. The term blends integritet (integrity/privacy) with the English word shot, used metaphorically to denote a risk, attack, or strong intervention affecting an individual's privacy. It has surfaced in media commentary, policy debates, and academic discussions in the 2010s and 2020s as debates about privacy rights, data protection, and technocratic governance intensified.

In usage, integritetshot is typically employed to describe scenarios where data collection, profiling, surveillance, or platform design potentially undermine individual autonomy or consent. Examples include government surveillance programs, corporate data harvesting and profiling for advertising, biometric monitoring, or opaque algorithmic decision-making. The term is informal and non-binding; it does not define a legal standard but functions as a rhetorical device to signal perceived seriousness of privacy risks.

Critics argue that the term can be vague or exaggerated, conflating legitimate data governance with undue intrusion. Proponents use it to highlight the need for stronger privacy protections, clearer transparency, and user control over data.

See also: privacy, data protection, surveillance, digital rights.