The Norwegian government has set out a new national digitization strategy with the aim of making the country the most digitized in the world by 2030.

The strategy includes measures to restructure and modernize the public sector by creating simpler and more connected public services for people to use. It will also include factors such as business development, combating crime, digital infrastructure, green and digital transition, inclusion and screen use for children and young people.

“Norway has all the prerequisites to become the world’s most digitized country. Now comes the change of pace in the digitization of Norway. This means a simpler and safer everyday life for people, a more competitive business life and a more modern public sector,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap).

Privacy key factor

Another key element to the strategy is privacy, where the government will ensure privacy in all digitization up to 2030. By then, all relevant IT solutions in the public sector must have built-in privacy, and citizens’ privacy will be safeguarded with big tech companies.

“I am happy that the strategy defines privacy as a prerequisite for success with digitalization. Privacy is, as is also emphasized in the strategy, a human right. We at Datatilsynet want to be part of the digitization and help ensure that we stand together for human dignity and trust in digital Norway,” said Line Coll, Director of Datatilsynet – the Norwegian Data Protection Authority.

“Now comes the change of pace in the digitization of Norway. This means a simpler and safer everyday life for people, a more competitive business life and a more modern public sector.”

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap)

The government will soon put forward proposals for a new data-sharing act where public and private enterprises can access data from the public sector for innovation and value creation purposes. The government will also assess an age limit to social media usage, and to introduce the European artificial intelligence regulations into Norwegian law.

“With the digitization strategy, we are setting the pace for a major and important restructuring of Norway. Citizens will have access to simpler and more connected public services,” said Karianne Tung, Minister for Digitalization and Administration (Ap).

“Business and public agencies will get a common infrastructure to use artificial intelligence and access to large amounts of data that they currently do not have. And then we want to protect children and young people from passive screen use and make demands on tech companies that today have too much power.”

Enhance enforcement of privacy regulations

Under the government’s privacy objectives, some of the work includes:

• looking into the making and structure of a data ethics council that can assess the balance between privacy and weighty societal interests;
• ensuring a more uniform legal and regulatory regulation of personal protection;
• enhancing guidance on and enforcement of privacy regulations;
• collaborating with KS* to find measures to strengthen sharing of expertise and experience in the municipal sector;
• requiring privacy-friendly solutions in public procurement to stimulate the development and use of privacy-friendly technology;
• applying requirements for public enterprises that use web-based analysis tools to carry out thorough risk assessments of privacy;
• reviewing and evaluating how privacy is safeguarded for employees; and
• encouraging more use of industry standards and common tools, to share experience and certification for privacy.

The digitization strategy was createde in collaboration between the government and KS, and parties in working life, business and research environments. It will be implemented immediately.

* KS is the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, and is the organization for all local governments in Norway. It is Norway’s largest public employer organization.