EU police data exchange expands access to Moldovans’ personal information
A bill approved by Parliament at first reading is formally intended to “increase security”, but it also creates the legal framework for transferring Moldovans’ personal data to international structures. Under the proposed EU police data exchange, information could be shared automatically with law enforcement authorities in European Union member states.
The consent of the people whose data may be transferred is not required. PAS MPs nevertheless backed the proposal, presenting it as another step towards alignment with European standards.
The legislation could also lead to the creation of new posts within law enforcement structures. Given the government’s record on public appointments, this is likely to raise familiar questions about whether such positions will be filled on merit or become another source of comfortable jobs for politically connected figures.
DNA, fingerprints and facial images could be shared
Presenting the bill in Parliament, State Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Alexandru Bejan said the legislation would “help increase citizens’ security and bring the Republic of Moldova into line with European standards”.
Behind that language is an extensive list of information that Moldovan police could automatically exchange with counterparts across the European Union. It includes DNA databases, fingerprints, facial images, vehicle information and police records.
If, for example, German police were searching for a person using a fingerprint, the system could automatically check Moldovan databases. Where a match was found, the individual’s personal information could then be transmitted to the foreign authorities.
“The bill establishes the conditions and procedures for exchanging information in the area of police cooperation, including automated searches involving DNA data, fingerprint data, vehicle information, facial images and police records,” Bejan explained.
Another provision concerns information about people considered a threat to public order during major events. The question of who qualifies as such a “threat” could prove particularly sensitive, given the broad discretion that such terminology may leave to the authorities.
The EU police data exchange would therefore go well beyond routine administrative cooperation, creating mechanisms for automated access to some of the most sensitive categories of personal information held by the state.
Armed foreign police could operate in Moldova
The bill also provides for joint operations and patrols involving foreign police officers on the territory of Moldova. In certain circumstances, cross-border pursuit would be permitted, and foreign officers could be allowed to carry weapons.
The new rules would cover participation in joint patrols and operations, as well as mutual assistance during mass events, natural disasters or serious accidents with cross-border consequences.
Supporters describe such measures as practical instruments of international police cooperation. Critics, however, may reasonably ask how far foreign law enforcement should be allowed to operate on Moldovan territory, particularly when armed officers and cross-border pursuit are involved.
The legislation therefore touches not only on security but also on sovereignty, accountability and the limits of foreign police powers inside Moldova.
Data safeguards and another new police structure
The bill contains a separate chapter on personal data protection. All operations involving the transmission and receipt of information would have to be logged, while the National Centre for Personal Data Protection would receive supervisory powers over the legality of data processing.
On paper, these safeguards are intended to ensure accountability. Yet the absence of any requirement to obtain consent from the individuals concerned is likely to leave doubts over how meaningful those protections will prove in practice.
The document also provides for the establishment of a single contact point for international police cooperation, a specialised unit within the General Inspectorate of Police. That means the EU police data exchange will bring not only wider data-sharing powers, but also another layer of bureaucracy within the Moldovan state.
For a government presenting the measure as a way to strengthen public security, the central question is whether expanded international access to DNA, fingerprints, facial images and police records will actually make citizens safer or simply leave them with less control over some of their most sensitive personal information.
