Easy public accessibility of driver's data upsets Finns

The existence of an internet service that made the driver's license information of all residents of Finland readily accessible has caused a public uproar recently.

The service was closed down over the weekend and Mia Nykopp, director general of the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi), resigned on Thursday "to restore confidence".

Finnish legislation does not stipulate the provision of such a free internet service, although driver's licence data are public.

In response to mounting complaints on social media, Trafi suspended the controversial service last weekend. The Ministry of Transport and Communications ordered an investigation.

Data Protection Ombudsman Reijo Aarnio said when the public row began that even though something is public, its "publication is a different matter".

Local commentators have noted that in its program of 2015, the current Finnish government defined "open data" in a positive way. The idea was that the provision of open data by the authorities would help outsiders develop business enterprises. Commentators have concluded that civil servants at Trafi wanted to act in the spirit of the government program.

The situation has been compared to the way the public can access tax information in Finland. Information on an individual's filing status is publicly accessible, but details can only be accessed through the Tax Administration.

Anne Berner, minister of transport and communications, said on Thursday she respects the decision by Director General Nykopp to take responsibility and resign.