On a proposal from the Ministry of the Interior today, May 21, the Cabinet approved amendments to the amendments to the “Amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications”, which would require mobile operators to communicate to their communication users and subscribers, in the event of a disaster or disaster threat, information prepared by the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) regarding the necessary action.
"Latvian Epidemiology Experts and World Health Organisation Specialists in progno-se that the second outbreak of Covid-19 is possible in the autumn. It is therefore necessary to complete the early warning system as quickly as possible, thereby ensuring the readiness and the possibility to notify persons more effectively of the necessary action in the event of the threat. The pandemic has revealed significant shortcomings in Latvia's preparedness for various crisis situations, and I have therefore repeatedly stressed the unwillingness to set up a permanent Emergency Management Centre which could further plan and initiate similar solutions in" – says Sandis Ģirģens, Minister for Home Affairs.
Given that 98% of the public use a mobile phone, sending a text message is a convenient and achievable element of the early warning system.
Currently in BOM Order No. 103 “declaring an emergency” requires the mobile operator to send a text message to its communications agents and subscribers, in accordance with the technical capabilities, with the information provided by the SFRS on the necessary emergency action. But there is also a need for a permanent legal framework that is not linked to extreme siting. A similar provision of content rights is already covered by the Electronic Communications Act, which provides for the provision of text messages to their communications users and subscribers in the country concerned with information on possible behaviour in the event of threats.
In order to implement the transmission of communications to mobile users provided for in the draft law, the processing of personal location data is required. Therefore, in order to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation, the draft law also provides that an electronic communications merchant may assess location data without the consent of his or her user or subscription in order to send a SFRS statement on disaster or disaster hazards related to a person's life, health or property risk.
The draft law will enter into force after it has been examined by the Saeima.
Prepared by:
Beata Jonite
Minister of the Interior
Councillor for Communications
Mob.: 28351588
E-mail: beata.jonite@iem.gov.lv