New powers proposed for police to address use of unmanned vehicles

The Government proposes expanding the police’s powers to intervene in the use of unmanned vehicles to keep pace with technological developments. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on 15 September. The legislation is set to enter into force as soon as possible.

Drones and other unmanned devices have become increasingly important in the current security environment. This development is not limited to aircraft; it also concerns unmanned vehicles operating on land, on the surface of the water and underwater.

Rapid technological advances have significantly increased the performance and availability of these devices and broadened their range of uses. Although the technology is widely used for legitimate and beneficial purposes, there are also security risks associated with it. Unmanned vehicles may be used, for example, to facilitate criminal activity, damage critical infrastructure, disrupt the work of the authorities or violate privacy.

Police could intercept the operation of all unmanned vehicles

The current Police Act contains provisions on police powers to intercept the path of unmanned aircraft. According to the proposal, the police would in future have the right to intercept the movement and, more broadly, the operation of an unmanned vehicle regardless of whether it is operating in the air, on land, on the surface of the water or underwater. The means available to do so would include technical devices, use of force and firearms.
The proposal would also expand the Finnish Defence Forces’ ability to provide executive assistance to the police in intercepting the movement or operation of an unmanned vehicle and other cooperation between authorities.

Responding to a changing security environment