Creator of banned sex crimes database skeptical of Justice Ministry's criminal records reform
Estonian content creator Mallukas, whose self-made public criminal registry was shut down, doubts the Ministry of Justice's planned reform of the criminal records database, while the minister warns about risks of identifying victims.
Mallu Mariann Treimann-Legrant, an Estonian content creator known as Mallukas, has expressed little faith in the Justice Ministry's plans to reform the national criminal records database. Her public website ettevaatust.ee was recently disabled after an order from the Data Protection Inspectorate (AKI).
Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) explained that the current system, which provides direct links to criminal records, often allows victims to be identified, leading to their revictimization. Full case descriptions published online contained details that could reveal victims' identities. The vast majority of these cases involve domestic violence or offenses committed between relatives or acquaintances. Pakosta said that some victims contacted support services while experiencing suicidal thoughts after their personal information was made public.
In April, Pakosta proposed making the state's criminal records database more user-friendly. The draft legislation is expected to enter interagency review soon and reach the Riigikogu in autumn. Among other changes, it would automate employer background checks on employees. The proposal was prompted by an incident at the Ihaste equestrian center, where a required criminal records check was not carried out on a volunteer who would have contact with children. The Child Protection Act obliges employers to check such records for anyone working with minors. The reform would also add ID photos to the files of people convicted of serious crimes and review the fee for criminal record extracts.
Treimann-Legrant said she has little confidence in the minister's proposal. She noted that the state operates slowly and faces many obstacles, whereas her husband built the website in a single day. In her view, enthusiasts will likely step in before the state does, and the complicated system effectively protects pedophiles. She also criticized what she called a lack of transparency and consistency in publishing personal data, pointing out that other registries with similar information remain freely accessible.
The ettevaatust.ee site compiled profiles of individuals convicted of sexual offenses and domestic violence, allowing users to view information via direct links to the national criminal records database. On Tuesday, hosting provider Zone blocked access to the site following the AKI order.
