Inquiry Regarding Chinese Intelligence Access to Estonian Residents' Data Through Applications and Technology (No. 718)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-04-07 18:32
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 29
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 46m
AI Summaries: 29/29 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda concerned the inquiry submitted to the Riigikogu on February 12th of this year by Lauri Laats, Vladimir Arhipov, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Aleksei Jevgrafov regarding the access of Chinese intelligence to the data of Estonian residents through applications and technology. The purpose of the inquiry was to clarify the actual level of risk and what measures the Estonian state is strengthening and implementing to reduce potential risks. The response was given by the Minister of Justice and Digital Transformation, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, whose remarks encompassed both the existing legal and regulatory framework and a summarized set of recommendations and further steps. The discussion focused on the security of supply chains, the protection of digital personal data, obligations at the European Union and Estonian levels, and the need to increase citizens' awareness of technology risks. Additionally, the need to consider a broader national approach to the use of certain Chinese-origin technology and equipment was addressed, as were further steps to mitigate cybersecurity and supply chain risks.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made at this session. The discussion primarily focused on the clarity of the existing regulatory framework, understanding the risks, and strengthening oversight, outlining possible future steps in the context of legal competence, as well as technical and communication activities. Looking ahead, it identified directions for further action at the European Union level and in Estonia to strengthen cybersecurity and the resilience of supply chains.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker: Lauri Laats (pid 5VNfkRwGZMI). He represented the inquiry as a member of the Riigikogu and led and posed several important questions. Position: other (parliamentary member, represents the inquirers; not directly a specific seat of the government or opposition).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The first item on today's agenda is the parliamentary inquiry submitted by MPs Lauri Laatsi, Vladimir Arhipov, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Aleksei Jevgrafov regarding access by Chinese intelligence to the data of Estonian residents through applications and technology.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
On February 12, Lauri Laats submitted to the esteemed Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta a parliamentary inquiry, in which he raises the issue of China's intelligence services' access to the data of Estonian residents through applications and technology, and asks whether Estonia is still in danger or can defend itself, and whether we should even abandon Chinese technology in order to have a constructive debate to clarify the situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker invited Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta to answer the Riigikogu's interpellation from the rostrum.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The message of the presentation is that Estonia will pursue a risk-based cybersecurity approach: the use of devices of Chinese origin does not automatically entail a high risk, but the risks in the supply chain must be assessed, the protection of personal data must be ensured, and centralized cooperation and legislation must be strengthened to meet EU requirements.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman Hussar thanks the minister and announces that there are questions, and asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to take the floor.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
As an ordinary citizen, he asks the question: what risks are associated with using a phone assembled in China or using TikTok, and with driving a car made in China, and whether one should worry or not.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta emphasizes that risks must be assessed by each person themselves, but in Estonia the greatest danger is on phone calls, where scammers may call pretending to be your relative and ask for money, using artificial intelligence to imitate a voice; therefore simple risk-mitigation measures should be applied, for example by asking a family member for the answers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman asks Anti Poolamets to take the floor.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets warns that both the human factor and the political factor are major risks, highlights the omissions in cybersecurity and that hundreds of thousands of medical records have disappeared from Apothekas and elsewhere, notes that no practical follow-ups have been made, refers to China's grand plan and Estonia 200 plans, and asks how far these developments have progressed and when the censorship law will shut our mouths.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta emphasized that punishing companies for cybersecurity violations takes place in accordance with the law after proper investigation, data protection violations can lead to large fines, and those affected have the right and obligation to report incidents, and although hate speech is a separate issue, there is a plan for a narrow transposition of the EU Framework Decision, which should not be compared to Communist China.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar invites Lauri Laatsi to the tribune.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats highlights China's potential threat to cybersecurity and Estonia's solar park system's dependence on Chinese technology, warning that if a signal comes from China, the entire system could be shut down, and he discusses whether a member of the Riigikogu or an ordinary citizen should or could use Chinese-origin services and devices.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The person announces that your time has come.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats discusses whether 938 megawatts is a real threat or not, referring to the same described example.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
I can rely on the assessments of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity and I confirm that ensuring the security of supply chains is the most important issue in their threat assessments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asks Evelin Poolametsa.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets stated that scam calls are a major cyber risk, and last year people lost approximately 8 million euros because of them, and asked what measures the government has taken to protect against these attacks and why this widespread crime has not yet been effectively curbed.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
That scams remain widespread, because scammers are always one step ahead, and the most effective way to counter them is to inform people — especially among the elderly and the Russian-speaking population — and the biggest threat is distorted calls, but the solution lies in raising awareness and using verification questions, although case investigations are complex and often international.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks the minister, ends the questions, opens negotiations, and asks for the floor to be taken by the representative of the questioners, Lauri Laatsi.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats raised the risks of using Chinese technology in Estonia's critical infrastructure—for example, solar panel inverters and their remote controllability—and demanded clearer measures to restrict Chinese technology, citing TikTok, BYD cars, and restrictions on the state's railway procurements.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asked for three more minutes of extra time.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that in Estonia there must be a separate discussion in the Riigikogu about bogies with Chinese technology and cheaper buses, and to explain how to ensure their safety, cybersecurity and consumer protection, and why neighbors behave differently.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked Mart Helme and invited him to address the Riigikogu.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that Chinese intelligence is colossal in the digital age and operates as cyber espionage in Estonia—for example in a Chinese-style house near the Central Market, in the vicinity of Juhkentali Street—and the real danger lies in the fact that with their artificial intelligence they collect all kinds of information from smart devices, which is why the government must be adequate in the context of Chinese intelligence capabilities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks for three more minutes.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasizes that first civilian oversight over the intelligence services must be established and they brought under control, so that they do not interfere in politics or steer policy or carry out information operations, and then the same approach should be directed at foreign intelligence services.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked, stated that there were no requests to speak, and invited the minister to take the floor from the Riigikogu's speaking chair.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
They stated that Estonia is a rule-of-law state and that intelligence matters belong to the Riigikogu (the Estonian Parliament) together with a separate committee, and that there are no intelligence agencies within the remit of the Ministry of Justice and Digitalisation, so citizens can be confident that public officials are working in Estonia's interests.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks, announces that there are no more speaking requests, and closes the negotiations and ends the consideration of the first agenda item.