Intelligence authorities to gain more extensive rights to disclose criminal information

Intelligence authorities to gain more extensive rights to disclose criminal information

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and military intelligence authorities will be able to disclose information on offences to other authorities more extensively than before. In its session on 12 March, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the bills concerned on 13 March. The amendments will enter into force on 20 March 2026.

The amendments concern disclosing, for the purpose of combating crime, information on offences that has been obtained through intelligence collection methods. With regard to the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, the amendments relate to the provisions on firewalls laid down in the Police Act, that is, primarily the rights of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service to disclose information to crime prevention authorities. Similar amendments concerning the disclosure of criminal information were also made to the Act on Military Intelligence.

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service will be allowed to disclose information on offences of treason and high treason, as well as terrorist offences, more extensively than is currently permitted. These offences include negligent disclosure of a national secret, treasonable conspiracy, illegal military activities, travelling for the purpose of committing a terrorist offence, and public exhortation related to terrorist offences.

In addition, information may be disclosed in certain situations where it is important to protect national security against activities that pose a serious threat. International exchange of information by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service will also become more effective. In international cooperation, it may also disclose information, including personal data, to NATO.

Inquiries:
Johanna Hakala, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 452 [email protected]