More than two million Swedes have signed a petition opposing a new law that would give their government the right to snoop on all emails and phone calls crossing the country's borders.

While other EU countries consider granting authorities more spying powers by playing the terrorism card, it is starting to look as if there is a backlash growing against the surveillance society.

Anne Ramberg, secretary general of the Swedish Bar Association, is calling for challenges to the law in Swedish and European courts saying that this sort of law would have been unthinkable before September 11.

The law, passed through the Swedish parliament in a 142-138 vote, gave Sweden's National Defence Radio Establishment, or FRA, the right to scan all international phone calls, emails and faxes without a court order.

However it is starting to look as if Swedes do not like the idea. Thomas Mattsson, digital editor of the major Swedish newspaper Expressen, provides a link that allows readers of its internet edition to file a protest to lawmakers, and so far more than two million Swedes have taken part in the campaign. X

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