The passenger data system, to be introduced in Finland this year, will provide a new tool for the prevention of terrorism and serious crime.
Ppassenger information collected by airlines is compiled in the passenger data system and will enable the targeting of supervision at individuals suspected of having links to terrorism or other serious crime.
The collection of passenger information is based on the European Union’s PNR Directive that entered into force in May. Pursuant to the Directive, Finland has implemented the passenger data system and established a special unit in the National Bureau of Investigation for the processing of Advanced Passenger Information.
The PNR project, funded by the European Commission, has been responsible for preparation in Finland. The Police, Customs and the Finnish Border Guard are all involved in the project.
Last year, almost 15 million passengers travelled on international flights operated by approximately 250 airlines in Finland. The submission of passenger data applies to all cross-border air traffic.
Petri Lounatmaa, Enforcement Director at the Finnish Customs, emphasises that collaboration between the authorities is a must due to the high volume of goods and persons transported in passenger and commercial traffic, the fast pace of the traffic and the required flexibility. Risk analysis serves the best interests of all actors.
“In Customs, it is vital to target supervision measures in line with the analysed risks. This will enable us to secure the fluent flow of legal trade and passenger traffic in Customs operations,” says Petri Lounatmaa.
Passenger data system to be introduced this year
The passenger data system is a technical tool for the collection of passenger information. It includes passenger information collected by air carriers, such as flight reservation and check-in details. Advance passenger information, including the passenger’s name and nationality alongside information about the flight and itinerary, will also be compiled in the system.
According to Kari Aaltio, Project Manager of the PNR project, the passenger data system’s aim is to improve flight safety and prevent terrorism and serious crime.
“The joint passenger data system of the police, Customs and the Border Guard will be deployed before the end of the year and the first carriers will be connected to it in December,” says Aaltio.
The Passenger Information Unit operates in conjunction with the National Bureau of Investigation
The Passenger Information Unit PIU began operating at the National Bureau of Investigation in Vantaa on 1 November 2016. PIU operates in conjunction with the Police, Customs and Border Guards collaborative PCB criminal intelligence unit, steered by the Police-Customs-Border Guards (PCB) National Crime Intelligence and Crime Analysis Centre. Competent authorities include the police, Customs and the Border Guard.
Senior Detective Superintendent Arto Tuomela of the National Bureau of Investigation says that existing systems and communication structures are utilised and developed when receiving passenger data.
“The unit receives, analyses and relays information and responds to it,” says Tuomela.
According to Tuomela, information collected by the PIU enables greater efficiency not only in terrorism prevention, but also in combating particularly serious crime, such as the import of narcotics, trafficking in human beings and smuggling.
“The system can also be expected to benefit the combating of cross-border crime, such as property offences and skimming, i.e. the copying of payment cards,” says Tuomela.
Data Protection Officer for passenger data
Jari Råman, Chief of Information Management at the National Police Board, emphasises that law enforcement authorities process passenger data in accordance with laws on the protection of personal data.
“The Data Protection Officer appointed for the processing of passenger data is responsible for the provision of advice and supervision related to the matter, and serves as the contact person in all matters related to PNR data.”
According to the Personal Data Act, a data controller must prepare a description of the file. Passengers are entitled to know whether the register includes information on them and if so, what data regarding them is stored.
Råman emphasises that everyone is entitled to demand that any errors be corrected and data stored unlawfully be removed.
More information is available on the National Police Board’s website at www.poliisi.fi/passengerinformation .
