Finland Times

The Finnish language daily Helsigin Sanomat reported on Sunday that the working group had proposed online surveillance powers for the military and the security police.
Kiuru told the news agency STT that the steering group has not sufficiently explored the wide range of options with regard to online surveillance or compared the experiences of its functionality.

The minister said the proposed online surveillance would be too wide, non-specific, and ineffective and limit citizens’ fundamental rights, such as right to privacy.

Furthermore, Kiuru said the measure would drive away foreign investors from the country.
The Ministry of Transport and Communication also expressed a divergent opinion. The ministry is opposed to the working group’s proposal of online surveillance, in other words permitting mass surveillance of communication.

Kiuru said the issue is a bit similar to the requirement which allows continuous, large-scale and regular search of Finnish homes without justifiable grounds to suspect criminal activity or allowing the opening of confidential communication relayed through the postal network.

The minister said obtaining information when there is reason to suspect crimes must be enabled. However, the current coercive measures legislation is sufficient for this task.
The threatening picture is not enough to justify the initiation of online monitoring, said Kiuru.