Sweden’s product-liability bill would cover apps and lost data

People harmed by defective apps or other software would gain a clearer route to compensation under a Swedish government bill extending product-liability rules beyond physical goods.

The bill, published on 15 October, would bring standalone software within the law and cover damage caused by data being destroyed or corrupted, alongside personal injury and property damage.

The proposed rules would make it easier for injured parties to prove their claims in specified circumstances. They would also remove the existing deductible for property damage and widen the range of businesses that can be held responsible when a manufacturer is outside the European Economic Area.

The changes would not make every malfunction or lost file automatically compensable. Claims would still have to meet the law’s conditions, including a defective product and relevant damage.

The government proposes that the new law take effect on 1 January 2027. Products placed on the market or put into use before commencement would remain governed by the older rules.

The proposal has now reached the bill stage after an earlier review by the Council on Legislation. It is not yet an adopted law, so consumers should not treat the proposed January start as a guaranteed change to their rights.

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