Ambulance cameras may record private homes as welfare regions remain reluctant to discuss issue

Ambulances across Finland are increasingly being equipped with cameras that can record private properties, including homes and yards, but welfare regions are unwilling to publicly address the practice, a Yle investigation reveals.

At least 15 of Finland’s 21 welfare regions have installed recording cameras in ambulances, some of which capture footage of private areas protected by domestic peace laws. Despite legal concerns, the issue has received little public discussion, and authorities have been hesitant to comment.

Police have already used ambulance footage in criminal investigations, according to Jari Illukka, a criminal inspector with the Helsinki Police Department. “We request recorded material from rescue services whenever it’s available,” Illukka said, noting that such footage has been used in cases involving traffic accidents and vandalism against ambulances.

Helsinki has had ambulance cameras for about a decade, with their numbers increasing in recent years. While police requests for footage remain rare, the potential for recording sensitive locations—including private homes—raises legal questions.

Matti Tolvanen, a professor of criminal and procedural law, emphasized that filming on private property generally requires legal justification. “The starting point is that you cannot record in areas protected by domestic peace unless there is a legal basis for it,” he said. Tolvanen called for greater transparency, arguing that the public should be informed about where and how such recordings take place.

Ambulances typically carry one to four external cameras, most commonly a forward-facing dashcam, though some also have side and rear cameras. Interior cameras, used to monitor patient care, can also record—sometimes at the paramedic’s discretion. Some welfare regions notify patients of recording via stickers inside the ambulance, but experts question whether this is sufficient in emergencies.

A key concern is the creation of personal data registers from recordings, which may include health information. Finnish law permits sharing health data with police only in cases of serious crimes, such as aggravated assault or attempted homicide. For lesser offenses, the legal grounds are unclear.

Welfare regions have been reluctant to discuss the issue. Marko Pylkkänen, head of acute services for the South Savo welfare region, declined an interview, stating in an email that the matter involved “technical safety solutions” they did not wish to publicize. This contrasts with past openness about ambulance resources and staffing levels.

The lack of clear legislation has left gaps in how recordings are handled. Tolvanen noted that current practices—such as relying on stickers for notification—are inadequate in emergencies, where patients are unlikely to read fine print. He urged lawmakers to clarify rules on data sharing between welfare regions and police.

The investigation highlights a broader tension between technological advancements in emergency services and the need for updated legal frameworks to protect privacy.