The police and the Border Guard have used cameras that recognize vehicle license plates. These cameras store license plates in their database. According to Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madis, such data collection is not in line with the law. Madis says: "Data collection is necessary, but there must be a clear law. This law must specify what data, for how long, and for what purpose it is allowed to collect."
Madis adds that security is never fully achieved. Privacy is a constitutional right. If rights are violated, it can turn against people. Until the rights are clear, the state should not use such technology.
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro believes that discussion is necessary. However, he does not plan to raise the issue in the government. Taro says: "The Riigikogu can initiate laws itself. The ministry does not have to be the initiator. We need to discuss technology that limits fundamental rights."
Deputy Chairman of the Riigikogu Legal Affairs Committee Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart says that the law should now be changed quickly. People need to know how their information is collected and deleted. Kovalenko-Kõlvart says: "License plate recognition should now be stopped. The Legal Affairs Committee should discuss it."
Head of the Police Prevention Bureau Roger Kumm explains that data collection is necessary for crime prevention. Kumm says: "Cameras help prevent, for example, car theft and other crimes. Data is not processed until there is a reason for it."
The police are currently conducting an analysis to assess the compliance of license plate recognition cameras with the law. The Data Protection Inspectorate is conducting separate supervision on this.