On 12 December 2018, the Ministry of Transport and Communications received from the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority the first preliminary expert opinion it had requested concerning the data protection of the electronic services provided by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, Trafi. It also received an assessment by the Director-General of Trafi on whether other parts of Trafi's e-services than the driver data service could be legally and safely taken into use.
Director-General Kirsi Karlamaa, who is leading the assessment work by the Communications Regulatory Authority, says that the information security level of Trafi's services is higher than average when compared to other central and local government organisations with similar information security requirements.
The Ministry states that the requested reports were received within the set time limit and they have now been examined. Since there are still risks involved in the opening up of Trafi's electronic services, they will be opened up one by one. The aim is to take the first services into use as soon as possible. They will be made operational again as the Communications Regulatory Authority assesses it to be possible. Information on the specific timetables will be issued as soon as they are available.
Trafi's driver data e-service allows to look up whether a person has a valid right to drive (a driver's licence) or some other corresponding entitlement for driving. On 9 December 2018, Trafi disconnected all its electronic services to ensure that the driver data service was closed.
For the time being the Ministry will not publish or hand over the reports it received. They contain information that is confidential under the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Director-General Nykopp resigns
Director-General of Trafi resigned from office on 13 December 2018.
"In order to calm down the situation around Trafi's public driver data service and to restore trust, I have decided to step down from my position as Director-General of Trafi," Nykopp says.
Until the end of the year, Olli Lindroos, Director of the Means of Transport division at Trafi, will act as Trafi's Director-General.
Inquiries:
Laura Vilkkonen, Director-General, tel. +358 295 34 2391
Harri Pursiainen, Permanent Secretary
Please contact secretary Pia Hammar, tel. +358 295 34 2323
