Data helps solve crimes. Data also keeps people safe. Laws must allow storing data longer.
Courts say business data can be used. But state-collected data cannot be used in court.
ITL has talked about data storage for years. ITL thinks the law works. Data can help solve crimes.
The prosecutor uses business data. For example, call times and places. But the state cannot force companies to collect special data.
Companies store client names and service times. For example, for billing. But there is a bigger problem. Other places also use data.
Data shows when and where calls happen. But not exact locations. A call may go through Pirita tower, but the caller is in Tallinn.
SMS data stores send times and places, not content. Messenger, FaceTime, and WhatsApp calls are not stored.
Storing data is extra work for companies. Now, data is stored for one year.
The big debate is: Can the state force companies to store data? Belgium has good solutions, like marking regions.
In Estonia, regional solutions may not work. Criminals move. Security risks must be considered.
Data keeps people safe. A law must allow storing data longer than a few months.
Data collection needs better rules. For example, the chancellor could check how data is collected.
We must discuss what data is stored and who sees it. The state must decide how to ensure safety and investigations.