Government Approves Legislative Amendments to Enhance Information Sharing Between Authorities
The President of the Republic has approved legislative amendments proposed by the government to streamline information exchange between the police, other authorities, and, in certain cases, private actors. The changes, which will enter into force on 1 October 2026, aim to improve crime prevention, national security, and societal resilience to crises.
The amendments modify the Police Act, the Police Personal Data Act, and corresponding regulations for the Border Guard, Customs, and the Defence Forces. Additionally, the Finnish Immigration Service will gain the right to access information on certain wanted individuals and will be obligated to notify the police if such a person is present on its premises (Yle).
Expanded Police Powers for Information Exchange
Under the new legislation, the police will have broader authority to obtain and disclose confidential information. This includes the ability to share non-disclosable information with other authorities and, in specific situations, with private entities such as operators of critical infrastructure. The police will also gain expanded rights to request information from private actors to prevent threats to life or health (Finnish Ministry of the Interior).
In strictly defined cases, the police may obtain identity and presence information from social and healthcare service providers. This applies to scenarios such as the investigation of serious crimes, the protection of national security, or the search for missing persons. However, the police will not have access to confidential discussions between individuals and healthcare professionals—only essential presence details in individual cases (Yle).
Objectives of the Amendments
The legislative changes are designed to enhance cooperation between authorities, improve the efficiency of crime prevention, and strengthen overall security in society. According to the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, the amendments implement the government programme’s goals of improving information exchange for crime prevention and bolstering national security.
The Finnish Immigration Service’s new obligations and rights regarding wanted-person information are expected to further support law enforcement efforts in tracking individuals subject to apprehension warrants.
