National security laws

Scandinavian Security Forces Step Up Surveillance

A Finnish working group has proposed amendments to the Constitution in order to drastically widen the scope of Finland's Security Intelligence Service (Supo). Accordingly, Supo's intelligence-gathering power is to be expanded both domestically and abroad.

At present, Supo is already authorized to track people, tap phones and monitor other communications on suspicions of terrorism, espionage and treason. According to the suggestions by the civilian working group, Supo should be granted the right to conduct intelligence without requiring any suspicion of crime. Accordingly, Supo will be allowed to secretly intervene in citizens' post and communications to obtain information about clandestine military activities or anything that "seriously threatens public safety."