Sweden: Swedish Data Protection Authority issued guidance on impact assessment

On 18 February 2025, the Swedish Data Protection Authority (IMY) published a guidance on impact assessments (DPIAs) under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It outlines a ten-step process to help organisations identify and mitigate risks associated with processing personal data, particularly for high-risk activities. The steps include assessing the need for a DPIA, forming a working group, systematically describing the data processing activities, conducting a legal analysis, managing risks, consulting with stakeholders, and continuously following up on the assessment. The guide emphasises the importance of thorough documentation and ongoing evaluation to ensure compliance with GDPR requirements. It also highlights the need for involving data protection officers and obtaining input from affected individuals to ensure a holistic approach to data protection under the GDPR. The guidance aims to serve as a practical tool for organisations to navigate the complexities of data protection and ensure that individual rights and freedoms are safeguarded throughout the data processing lifecycle.