There are no current plans to require individuals to have a digital mailbox, according to a new inquiry. Instead, it is proposed that state actors be required to send digital post to those who have digital mailboxes.
— This could provide opportunities for savings and reduced emissions. It is not being fully utilised today, says special investigator Britt Bohlin at a press conference.
More and more letters are being sent via digital post, and in 2023, 100 million messages were sent, according to the Agency for Digital Government. The estimate is that this figure will increase to 120 million this year, as 6.2 million individuals now have a digital mailbox. Therefore, it is now proposed that authorities be required to send post digitally to individuals and companies that have a digital mailbox.
However, some exceptions may also be made.
There may also be security reasons, for example, courts when they need to serve a notice, the court must have proof of receipt. An exception can also be made if there are already good channels in place, such as healthcare, which uses 1177, says Britt Bohlin.
No Obligation
For individuals and companies that do not have a digital mailbox, there will be no requirement to obtain one in order to receive official post, according to the inquiry. The post will then be delivered as before.
There are quite a few who have difficulty accessing it, it may be due to a disability, social vulnerability or being 94 years old and not having learned to use a computer. There are thus many who have reasons not to participate in digital life, notes the investigator.
But it is also due to several practical reasons, including bank-id, which is the basis for the current inquiry not proposing a requirement for individuals and companies to have a digital mailbox.
We will be able to work on this over time, says Britt Bohlin.
Bohlin also states that it is difficult to say when such a requirement might become relevant.
Cybersecurity
For the authorities, regions, and municipalities that are not currently sending digital post, the proposal would involve a transition process.
Civil Minister Erik Slottner (KD) acknowledges that cybersecurity competence may be lacking in some areas.
Cybersecurity is incredibly important to work on, and the authorities that are small and cannot build internal competence must naturally seek help and support from actors who have the competence, he says.
The proposals will now be processed in the Government Offices.
Corrected: Earlier versions of the text stated an incorrect figure for the number of people with a digital mailbox.
