Finland Proposes Expanded Law Enforcement Access to Biometric Data for Serious Crime Prevention

Under the proposal, police would be permitted to use biometric data to prevent substantial dangers to life, health, or freedom, and to prevent, uncover, and investigate serious crimes. The amendments would apply to biometric data already stored in police passport and identity card registers, as well as records of foreign nationals maintained by both police and the Finnish Immigration Service.

Notably, the proposal does not grant police additional authority to collect new biometric data, but rather extends their ability to use data already in their possession. The amendments would allow law enforcement to compare biometric data in their registers with evidence collected during investigations of serious crimes, such as homicides and severe violent and sexual offenses.

The proposal emphasizes the reliability of fingerprint data and automated facial recognition for identification purposes compared to other methods. It also outlines provisions for sharing biometric data with other criminal investigation authorities, the Schengen Information System, and – in cases of severe national security threats – the Finnish Security Intelligence Service and Finnish Defence Forces.

To ensure proper oversight, the proposal includes strict regulations on data access. Use of biometric data would be limited to predefined serious offenses and could only be accessed upon request from authorized officials with arrest powers or commanding police officers of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service. The National Bureau of Investigation would serve as the sole entity authorized to perform biometric data comparisons, ensuring legal compliance.

Finland has been at the forefront of implementing biometric systems in the European Union, having previously pioneered Schengen border control technology at Helsinki Airport. This proposal aligns with broader European efforts to enhance law enforcement capabilities while maintaining strict data protection standards.

Before accessing biometric data under the proposed regulations, law enforcement would be required to verify that alternative methods of identification have been exhausted.

Source: Finnish Government

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February 3, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy