Public consultation round launched on amendments to Act on Military Intelligence
The Ministry of Defence is requesting views on a bill for amendments to the Act on Military Intelligence. The bill proposes that the Act on Military Intelligence allow the use of certain intelligence collection methods in premises used for permanent residence.
“We are amending the Act on Military Intelligence to strengthen the operating conditions for military intelligence and national defence. Currently the blanket ban on using the intelligence collection methods listed in the act in permanent residences gives actors who are a serious threat to national security a safe haven to plan and prepare actions that are harmful to Finland. Our proposal fixes this problem. We must be able to address and counter broad-spectrum threats against Finland,” Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen said.
The government proposal aims to improve the ability of military intelligence authorities to take action in an operating environment that has evolved and become more uncertain. One particular goal is to maintain and improve national defence and national security by obtaining more accurate and targeted information on targets of military intelligence.
The current Act on Military Intelligence contains a general prohibition on using intelligence collection methods in premises used for permanent residence. The proposal would remove this blanket ban and allow, among other things, the use of site exploitation and on-site interception in such premises. However, the proposal would not allow the use of all intelligence collection methods, such as technical observation, in premises used for permanent residence.
Provisions on the use of certain intelligence collection methods would be added to legislation, and the installation and removal of a device, process or software would be permitted. The proposal is based on needs to develop legislation that have been identified when applying intelligence collection legislation that entered into force in 2019.
Fundamental rights and human rights have been carefully considered when drafting the proposed amendments. The conditions for using these intelligence collection methods would be strict, given that their use encroaches on the right to respect for home and the protection of private life and that the authority to use them is secret in nature. Intelligence collection activities are already subject to multiple tiers of independent oversight.
Parliament is currently considering an amendment to the Constitution which would permit limitations on the right to the respect for home in order to collect information on military activities or other activities that pose a serious threat to national security. The amendment of the Act on Military Intelligence would be enacted based on the amendment to the Constitution and is intended to enter into force as soon as possible after the bill amending the Constitution has been passed.
The amendment of the Act on Military Intelligence would implement the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government with respect to the development of intelligence legislation.
The deadline for submitting views is 14 August 2026.
Inquiries: Kosti Honkanen, Senior Specialist for Legal Affairs, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 607.
Requests for interviews with Minister Häkkänen: Dani Niskanen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 415 444 967.