Estonia suspends police agencies’ access to enforcement register

Estonia’s Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs has suspended the Police and Border Guard Board’s and Internal Security Service’s access to the enforcement register because the agencies did not connect to a tool that lets people see inquiries made about their data, ERR reported.

The ministry said the agencies’ information systems had to be connected to the data tracker by October 1. On October 22, it said the required connections had not been made and asked the Centre of Registers and Information Systems to close the agencies’ access to the enforcement register and e-arrest services without delay.

Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa Pakosta said automated access to bank data requires additional safeguards because the information is highly sensitive. She said investigative agencies were given access to the register on the condition that people could see inquiries made about their accounts from October 1. The data tracker allows people to check who has viewed their information, she said.

The Tax and Customs Board and bailiffs connected to the tracker by the deadline and can continue using the register. The police and Internal Security Service did not complete the necessary software in time, so their use of the register in criminal proceedings remains suspended until the software is ready.

The enforcement register is an information exchange channel between the state and credit and payment institutions. It allows authorities to make data inquiries and issue seizure orders as part of their statutory duties.