Police powers to conduct undercover activities in information network to be specified

The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the provisions on the powers of the police to carry out undercover activities in an information network. The amended legislation is scheduled to enter into force on 1 August 2026.

The amended legislation will clarify the current police powers and improve crime prevention and cooperation between the authorities. 

The amendments will specify the powers of the police concerning undercover activities and harmonise the provisions with those governing the corresponding powers of the Finnish Border Guard and Finnish Customs. Uniform legislation will promote cooperation between the authorities.

The preconditions for undercover activities will remain unchanged. In future, the police will be able to exercise the specified rights in respect of such offences for the prevention and investigation of which undercover activities in an information network would also otherwise be allowed. 

Under the Police Act, a decision on undercover activities conducted in an information network will also in future be made either by the director of the National Bureau of Investigation or the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, the chief of a police department, or a designated police officer with special training. 

Inquiries
Helinä Tiura-Virta, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 238, Ministry of the Interior

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