A growing concern for European law enforcement is the recruitment of Swedish teenagers by criminal gangs, sometimes referred to as “child soldiers” by Danish authorities. Despite a decrease in media attention, officials warn that the issue remains acute. According to Denmark’s Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard, young Swedes are still being used for criminal operations across the Nordic region, including in Denmark.
Sweden’s Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer echoed these concerns, highlighting that recruitment often happens via social media advertising, with initial contact made by buyers located anywhere in the world. Communication continues through encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and Telegram, which severely limit the ability of police to intercept or monitor these exchanges.
Encryption and GDPR under scrutiny
The issue has gained urgency ahead of the EU justice ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen, where ministers are expected to discuss how police can gain lawful access to encrypted communication. Strömmer noted that current data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), constrain police investigations. However, the central challenge is encryption itself.
“Law enforcement has been thrown back 50 years in time,” said Strömmer, referencing the difficulty in conducting coercive surveillance measures when suspects communicate exclusively through encrypted channels. Without access, police and intelligence services find themselves severely restricted in dismantling criminal networks.
National responses and legal reform in Sweden
Swedish authorities are considering national legislative changes to address the recruitment of minors, especially in cases where direct EU action is slow. Strömmer indicated that Sweden may pursue a legal framework similar to those used against terrorism recruitment, allowing more proactive intervention when children are targeted by gangs.
This legal review is being fast-tracked, with initial results expected by the end of the year. In parallel, Sweden remains aligned with Denmark, which is planning to make lawful access to encrypted data a top priority during its EU presidency this autumn.
A European problem with Nordic dimensions
The issue has broader implications for the EU. While the criminal activity originates in Sweden, its consequences are felt across borders, challenging both national laws and EU frameworks. The Swedish-Danish coordination highlights the growing need for cross-border cooperation, not only in policing but also in legislative alignment.
As criminal networks exploit technological gaps and legal loopholes, child exploitation, encryption, and GDPR compliance are becoming increasingly intertwined issues. European leaders are now faced with the task of balancing privacy protections with public safety, a debate that is likely to shape EU security policies in the coming months.
