Finland expands police data access rights in October reforms

Finland will grant police broader powers to obtain and share confidential information starting in October, following presidential approval of legal amendments on Thursday, Yle reports.

The changes cover police, border guard, customs, defence forces, and immigration service regulations, enabling smoother data exchange between authorities. The Finnish Immigration Service will gain access to certain wanted notices and be required to report the presence of wanted individuals in its facilities.

Under the reforms, police may receive identity and location data from social and healthcare providers in strictly defined cases, such as investigating serious crimes, protecting national security, or locating missing persons. Confidential medical discussions remain protected; only essential location data may be disclosed in individual cases.

Police will also be permitted to share confidential information with other authorities and, in specific situations, with private actors such as critical infrastructure operators. Conversely, police powers to obtain data from private entities will expand to counter threats to life or health.

The amendments aim to improve crime prevention, detection, and investigation while strengthening national security and societal resilience, aligning with government program objectives.