Inquiry regarding a network of number plate recognition cameras and the associated database (no. 756)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-09 18:34
Total Speeches: 73
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 30m
AI Summaries: 73/73 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first agenda item focused on a parliamentary inquiry presented by Martin Helme, Varro Vooglaiu, Rene Kok, Anti Poolamets, Evelin Poolamets, Mart Helme, and Rain Epleri on April 23rd of this year, regarding a network of surveillance cameras and the associated database. The content of the inquiry largely covered topics such as number-plate recognition cameras with displays operating across Estonia, the volume of information collected and the continued use of data, adherence to the principles of personal data protection, and liability for the use of the system. The parliament also heard about the historical background: how POLIS's foundational statute was established in 2009 and how its regulations have been supplemented over time, as the massive camera network and database emerged. Furthermore, questions were raised concerning the state's role, control, and liability, as well as future plans regarding potential additions. The discussion highlighted a particular concern over the balance between privacy and security, and how such systems have been implemented or continue to require debate at the level of the parliament.
Decisions Made 1
The Riigikogu did not make a decision on a specific question. Plans were reiterated to continue the discussion and the bill's further procedure within the framework of subsequent sittings. The draft bill for the first reading was planned to be taken up at the sittings next week, and the committee was to continue the procedure thoroughly, involving the viewpoints of the Office of the Chancellor of Justice and the Data Protection Inspectorate.
Most Active Speaker
Varro Vooglaid (acting on behalf of the inquiry) — a partially organizing and guiding representative who initiated the inquiry and led the highlighting of legal and ethical issues; position: other
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today, we will be addressing the interpellation submitted by several members of the Riigikogu concerning the network of cameras and the associated database, which will be presented by Varro Vooglaiu.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid raised the point that a massive system has been secretly constructed in Estonia, where over 200 cameras photograph all passing vehicles and compile this data into a single PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) database, thereby violating the Personal Data Protection Act. Furthermore, the existence and accountability of this system have not been discussed in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament). He addressed this matter by posing five questions concerning awareness, decision-making, and potential expansions of the system.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the house/the previous speaker] and yields the floor of the Riigikogu to Prime Minister Kristen Michal to answer the interpellation.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Responding to the interpellation from the Riigikogu, the Prime Minister explained that the license plate recognition cameras used in the POLIS information system identify the vehicle's license plate, the photos are not personally identifiable, the data is stored for a short period and is only accessible to necessary officials, and the system's future usage and expansion plans, along with related regulations, will be discussed in the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the Prime Minister, invites questions, and asks Ants Frosh to take the floor.
Ants Frosch
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Ants Frosch highlighted a security threat and asked whether the closed database is isolated from the cameras and if those cameras made by Chinese manufacturers Hikvision and Dahua have been switched off. He noted that over the past six months, there have been several incidents in the European Union where Russian intelligence has monitored borders, ports, traffic, and exercises in real time using Chinese-made cameras.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the issues concerning the connection between databases and cameras must be clarified in the Legal Affairs Committee, and stressed that cybersecurity, restrictions on data access, and ensuring data integrity are critical to prevent cyberattacks and malicious use, and that even home cameras should be securely protected.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Jaak Valge to the stage.
Jaak Valge
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Jaak Valge stresses that the deployment of facial recognition cameras in Estonia was not merely a pilot project, but the implementation of actual surveillance. He then asks what the legal basis was for these trials, who authorized them, and how to guarantee that similar experiments will not be adopted on a wider scale.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the legal basis for the use of new technologies must be reviewed, and the debate related to this dataset will continue in the Legal Affairs Committee and in parliament this summer and autumn, because technology is developing, it is being used to ensure security, and privacy risks are involved.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked Andre Hanimägi to come.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi criticizes the number recognition system as a complete blunder, noting that although it has helped uncover serious cases and logs are available along with official oversight, the system is nevertheless blind and lacks a solution. He questions whether suspending it indefinitely is the right move and how long a crucial instrument can remain blind.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the police maintain a high level of trustworthiness because they operate in a manner that earns public confidence. Furthermore, any use of public resources—including the collection, storage, and deletion of data—must adhere to these same principles and be conducted transparently. This debate concerning the principles of data collection, storage, usage, and deletion must take place in parliament, rather than being delegated to any other party, as this is the only appropriate venue and the proper function of a parliamentary debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called upon Anti Poolamets to speak next.
Anti Poolamets
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Anti Poolamets is criticizing the Prime Minister for being overly compliant with bureaucrats and for the collection of data lacking a proper legal foundation. He stresses that fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution and data protection must always be secured by clear legal grounds.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the Police and Border Guard Board has been collecting data since 2009, and the scope and purpose of its use must be debated in the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, emphasizing less emotion and more rational discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a short prayer to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
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Anti Allas criticized the removal of a crucial tool—one essential for the police in solving crimes and finding missing persons—stating it was done without consulting the Minister of the Interior. He proposed that they could have legally rectified the situation faster and ended the debate, while still allowing the police to retain the tool.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
He said that the different sides of the parliament want a different outcome regarding this tool, but the real work is to hold the debate and make the decision in the Legal Affairs Committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invites Varro Vooglaid to take the floor.
Varro Vooglaid
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Varro Vooglaid expresses criticism that, following the 2009 regulation, mass data collection has been ongoing for over 15 years, and even members of the government claim they were unaware of it. He questions whether there is something seriously wrong in the country and whether the data of an individual who has committed no offense should be deleted.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of freedom, debated the retention of speed camera data, and finished by saying that the listeners themselves must decide whether he and Mart Helme are lying.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Varro Vooglaid had asked a question in the chamber, and while the Prime Minister could comment on it as an exception, it was also a conditional question, and the discussion then moved on to Rene Kokk.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk asks what the main justifications were for officials with access viewing the data and images of that system, and how those justifications were validated, noting simultaneously that over 4,500 queries are made monthly and that the PPA analysis indicates problems with the justifications for these lookups.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The main substance of the presentation is that the government has not thoroughly discussed the issue of POLIS usage and data query rights, and the Legal Committee should continue the topic in further detailed debate. It is simultaneously described that POLIS usage rights are granted to officials for the fulfillment of their service duties based on the need-to-know principle. Furthermore, examples are provided demonstrating how license plate recognition cameras collect data for the prevention and detection of crime, including locating missing and lost persons, apprehending illegal border crossers, and detecting serious latent crimes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart highlights that although the first reading of the bill is scheduled for next week in the main hall, the Legal Committee has not yet made a decision. The problem is privacy, because the cameras photograph not only the cars but also the people inside the cars and those in their vicinity, and the faces cannot be blurred. She asks how this situation can be resolved.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of establishing the parliament's work schedule and agenda, stating that license plate recognition cameras must be used strictly for their intended purpose, and that the discussion regarding their specific applications will be held in the Legal Affairs Committee. If the agenda is adopted next week, it will be debated in the chamber, and the work will continue in the autumn.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks the Prime Minister for a glass of water while simultaneously taking a point of order from René Koka.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
He confirms that a situation like this cannot last for so long.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk raised a procedural question, stating that he wants to know the actual justifications documented by officials for why various environmental images were viewed in the system. He also asked the Prime Minister whether he had an overview of the matter and what those reasons actually were.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that a member of the Riigikogu has several opportunities to ask the Prime Minister questions: by registering to speak during negotiations and hoping the Prime Minister participates; by submitting a written question; or, if it is formulated as a problem, through an interpellation; and on Wednesday, the Riigikogu information hour awaits us.
Helle-Moonika Helme
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Helle-Moonika Helme asks why a new bill is needed to regulate the basic principles of the data repository and data collection principles, given that the current regulations from the Minister of the Interior and the Chancellor of Justice have confirmed that everything is legal, and who will ultimately be held responsible.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the protection of fundamental rights and personal data needs to be debated in parliament, and systems established in 2009 must be adapted to evolving needs. He added that this debate is both natural and necessary, and it is crucial to clarify the extent to which restrictions implemented to prevent crime might infringe upon privacy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Kalle Grünthal to the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
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Grünthal claims that the police are using inadmissible evidence in criminal proceedings—specifically, materials downloaded from the PPA system and recordings from public space cameras, including those used for license plate and facial recognition. He then asks why this evidence cannot be used lawfully or why the law needs to be updated, referencing the illegal execution of state surveillance and the widespread use of data to solve serious crimes.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the balance between data collected in the name of security and individual privacy must be established through parliamentary legislation, and the principles for the use of these data repositories must be clearly articulated so that the public knows who has access, how the data is utilized, and when it is deleted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls Andrei Korobeinik.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
He turns to Lauri Laats and says, "Andrei? Look at that beard!" and laughs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces that no one is present, having left by train, and then calls upon Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
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Lauri Laats stresses that this is a long-standing issue, and the system built by the police is classified, lacking any regulating legislation. This situation has caused disagreements among the ministers—the former Minister of the Interior preferred keeping the cameras operational, while the current minister acted differently—and he questions which approach is the right one: the one Läänemets advocated, or the one demonstrated by Taro and his actions.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that the parliamentary debate is the right place to clarify what data is being collected, who has access to it, and how it will be deleted, and that in the case of large data sets, security needs must be balanced against fundamental freedoms.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Prime Minister, announced that there were no further questions, and stated that the procedure for conducting the sitting must be discussed before commencing the debates, inviting Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
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Helle-Moonika Helme notes that the debate in the Riigikogu arose due to the problem that had emerged, and she questions whether the Riigikogu is now merely a rubber stamp that formalizes and justifies steps previously taken by the government, and whether the parliamentary function has significantly changed as a result.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman stressed that the Prime Minister's words can be verified from the transcript and the YouTube video stream, and the discussions will commence with Varro Vooglaid's speech.
Varro Vooglaid
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Varro Vooglaid voiced concern that Estonian law enforcement agencies are operating entirely autonomously and without the knowledge of ministers, and that a massive facial recognition camera system may have been installed. If such a system exists, the responsible party must be identified and a legal basis established before any further steps are taken.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three additional minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
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Varro Vooglaid criticizes the government for massively collecting people's license plate numbers and images without a legal basis or parliamentary debate. He emphasizes that a genuine debate must take place before these systems are built, and that the promise not to collect images of vehicles unless the driver has committed a violation must be upheld.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks and invites his colleague, Andre Hanimägi, to the podium.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi confirms that the license plate recognition system does not constitute a surveillance state, is legally operational, and the evidence has been validated through the courts. He adds that while any necessary clarifications to the law must be made, the system should be quickly relaunched, not shut down because of phobias.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and asks that we call colleague Mart Helme to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his speech, Mart Helme emphasizes that the use of ANTS and other camera systems has expanded, and there is a lack of clear control over data retention and the use of facial recognition. This, he claims, demonstrates incompetence on the part of the responsible authorities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of extra time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that although we have artificial intelligence and various filters today, there is a lack of civilian oversight over law enforcement and security structures, and the country is run by incompetent and corrupt officials. Therefore, he argues, there is a need for political will and the adoption of legislative models already implemented in foreign countries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked [them] and invited colleague Kalle Grünthal to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
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Grünthal claims that the camera network used for license plate recognition and related activities are illegal, and the use of the collected data in criminal proceedings is unacceptable. Therefore, the system must be halted, and those who have illegally conducted state surveillance must be held accountable, in order to protect the rule of law and prevent a surveillance society.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives thanks and yields the Riigikogu floor to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
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Lauri Laats asserted that illegal surveillance activity is evident and that accountability has not yet been clearly established. Therefore, the operation of the cameras must be halted and the legal framework quickly rectified, calling an extraordinary session of the Riigikogu if necessary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks if you need more time.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He says nothing is needed and thanks.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar confirmed that the situation is clear.
Lauri Laats
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Lauri Laats expresses hope that we live in a state governed by the rule of law, and that action must be taken based on that principle.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and announces the next speaker, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, and requests three minutes of additional time.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that the use of police cameras took place without a clear legal basis or public notification, and endangered democracy. She calls for halting the system until legal clarity is achieved and establishing strictly limited, independently verifiable regulation that stipulates the grounds and objectives, the volume of data to be collected, the data retention period, the right of individuals to access the collected data, and the existence of independent oversight.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the assembly and calls upon Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme said that security has been approached from the wrong end, and a large portion of crimes are committed by people of immigrant background. She cited examples from Finland and the Netherlands, and called for stricter controls on movement and housing in Estonia, as well as ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests three additional minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme stated that local security checks involve monitoring people's financial and telephone communications, and a hidden camera surveillance system is being planned that would track everyone. However, she added that immigration must be controlled first, rather than starting surveillance by using pictures of our own citizens.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi informed the assembly that the proceedings on the first item on the agenda have been concluded, and although the debate has not yet ended, the Prime Minister wishes to say a few words in conclusion.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes that a balance must be found in parliament between ensuring Estonia's security and protecting fundamental freedoms, and that a decision must be made regarding how much control is necessary, discussing, for example, the database for monitoring average speed and its connection to the Data Protection Inspectorate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks his colleagues if they wish to hear the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that the anonymity of data and the transparency of information are important, and the parliamentary debate must clarify how many cameras are permissible to use and how security can be ensured without violating fundamental rights.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks everyone, closes the debate, and apologizes to the Prime Minister and his colleagues for not paying sufficient attention to the Prime Minister's request to take the floor. He confirms that after this conclusion, no further opportunities to speak will be granted, emphasizing that this was his error, which must not create a new precedent, and thus concludes the proceedings on this agenda item.