Ombudsman Ülle Madise: Who should set limits on a surveillance society?

Estonia has recently seen several cases where the state collects citizens' data and shares it without proper justification. Ombudsman Ülle Madise discussed on Postimees' live broadcast whether Estonia has become a state that monitors its citizens too closely and who should set limits on this practice.

Ülle Madise raised a pressing question on Postimees' live broadcast: has the Estonian state turned into a surveillance society that monitors its citizens' every move?

Recently, several cases have come to light showing how state institutions collect various data about people and often share it without adequate justification. This has sparked broader public debate about data protection, privacy, and the state's role in citizens' lives.

According to Ombudsman Madise, it is crucial to clearly define who has the responsibility and authority to set limits on the state's data collection. The question is not only about legality, but also about proportionality-whether data collection and sharing are always justified and whether citizens are aware that this is happening.

This issue directly affects every Estonian resident whose personal data the state holds in various registers. The discussion also centres on what mechanisms citizens can use to protect their rights when they feel their data has been mishandled.