Comment by pelorat

It is considered personal data by the likes of the EU, the issue however a pesky little thing called the Swedish Constitution, specifically chapter 2 of the "Freedom of the Press Act" which basically states, in very simple terms:

1. Everyone(1) shall be entitled to have free access to official documents.

2. Official documents are all(2) documents held and produced by the authorities.

(1)=Everyone includes everyone in the world, you do not have to live in Sweden or be a citizen and you do not have to identify yourself.

(2)=Some restrictions apply (natsec, medical, etc).

In short, most government databases are databases of "official documents", including the citizenship registry maintained by the tax authorities.

Downside: All the mundane information about you is public property; address, birthdate, tax records, school grades, drivers license, passport photograph, martial status, court cases and pretty much everything else you can't think of.

Upside: Applies to all politicians as well.