Finland to introduce data protection fines for public sector organisations

Finland’s government has proposed extending data protection fines to public sector bodies, including government agencies, according to a statement from the Ministry of Justice.

The move aims to strengthen compliance with data protection laws and align penalties between the public and private sectors. Currently, fines for violations only apply to private organisations.

Under the proposal, maximum fines for public sector entities would be lower than those for private companies, reflecting differences in their operations. Courts, parliamentary offices, and national security authorities would remain exempt from penalties.

The reform follows EU data protection regulations, which allow member states to impose sanctions on public bodies under certain conditions.