Digital society
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
Date: 2025-03-19 15:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 15
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 15/15 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today's nine questions were directed at Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and addressed topics related to the digital society. Kert Kingo posed a critical question regarding the government's actions concerning the development of digital tracking and data collection, focusing on the collection of biometric data by ABIS and the planned nationwide network of surveillance cameras based on facial and gesture recognition. The criticism centered on the protection of privacy and human rights and the preservation of democratic ways of life, with the discussion also touching on the consensus nature of government decisions and the role of public participation. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the potential for increased control and the expansion of a surveillance society, as well as the question of whose ideas and decisions officials are actually implementing.
The second part of the discussion focused on specific indicators – to what extent do conversations and responses suggest that these are actions related to the digitization of the state, for which there is a lack of clear responsibility and authority? In this context, reference is also made to the media and examples from other countries, emphasizing the need for clarity and democratic control mechanisms. Overall, the aim is to discuss how the digital society and surveillance technologies fit with Estonia’s constitutional principles and freedoms.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made during this sitting.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Mart Helme (EKRE), who represented the right-wing political line and whose remarks focused on the raised dangers of facial recognition and surveillance systems, as well as questions of state legitimacy. His participation and criticism were clearly dominant, demonstrating his role as an opposition voice emphasizing the balance between state control and the protection of citizens' rights.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today's ninth question is on the topic of the digital society to Prime Minister Kristen Michal; asked by Riigikogu member Kert Kingo.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo accuses the Reform Party government of violating constitutional rights, referring to the ABIS biometric identity data collection created in 2021 and the planned nationwide face- and number-recognition network, which he regards as a totalitarian system, threatening democracy.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that he does not know who the author of the idea you asked about is, asked for clarification, and noted that the law concerning the ABIS system, which is under discussion, was promulgated by the president in 2021, and that he is trying to find an answer by looking at the members of the government who were in office at that time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and asks Kert Kingol to pose a clarifying question.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo criticized the creation of a network of surveillance cameras and facial recognition, asked who the author of this system is, and raised the question of how such a surveillance society protects people's freedoms and rights, pointing to its resemblance to China.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal notes that the coronavirus-terrorist poster is a historical example, emphasizes that the network of surveillance cameras and facial recognition is not an initiative of the government, and recommends consulting Lauri Läänemets and looking at Hungary's experience.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces that Mart Helme will submit a supplementary question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the Reform Party and Kaja Kallas have, during the crisis, opened the door to extensive facial recognition and to a nationwide network of cameras covering the entire country of Estonia, which makes Estonia a total surveillance society and recalls the dream of the Soviet KGB, referring to previous illegal wiretaps.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasized that it is your time to act.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasizes that it must be clearly understood where we have ended up with this and how far we may still go, and he accuses others of creating for us the impression that a state of emergency was declared five years ago.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson thanks Mart Helmet and gives him the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He or she is urged to take an honest stand and to be ready by 2025, and to respond to a specific timely issue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar thanked and presented a petition to the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Michal jokes about the poster related to emergency regulations, emphasizes the importance of media reliability, and says that the expansion of surveillance cameras is not a government priority, and notes that Lauri Läänemets confirmed it was an initiative by officials, from which an investigative team could be formed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks and informs that the discussion of today's ninth question will be concluded.