Denmark is increasingly becoming a surveillance society, driven by technological advancements and promises of security, leading to expanded data collection and monitoring capabilities. The indifference of the majority of Danes and politicians fuels this development, making it crucial for citizens to understand the implications.

The controversial amendment to the PET law (Politiets Efterretningstjeneste Law) grants the Danish Security and Intelligence Service unprecedented authority to collect and analyze data on all citizens, regardless of any suspicion of criminal activity. This has sparked concerns about freedom, legal certainty, and democratic rights.

There are significant reasons to be concerned about the growth of surveillance: data breaches and misuse are real threats, politicians’ assurances regarding the scope of surveillance cannot be fully trusted, and the knowledge of being watched alters behavior. The right to privacy is not merely theoretical, as evidenced by numerous examples of leaked and misused personal data, including data from Danish authorities.

While politicians claim surveillance is intended to combat terrorism and serious crime, history shows that once surveillance systems are in place, their use expands. This lack of containment is exemplified by the new PET law, raising concerns about how the collected data will be used and the potential for future reinterpretation of what constitutes “wrong” behavior.

Knowing that you are being watched inevitably changes your behavior. A study by the Danish Institute for Human Rights reveals that many Danes already self-censor when participating in public debate due to fears of government monitoring and registration.