Minister of Justice, Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir.
mbl.is/Eyþór
During an emergency session in Alþingi, Minister of Justice Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir condemned a recent incident she characterized as a “betrayal of the system” following alarming reports about a significant breach involving the unauthorized access and sale of sensitive police data.
The controversy arose when allegations surfaced suggesting that the firm PPP had unlawfully accessed confidential files from the Special Prosecutor General’s office, including surveillance data, which were allegedly sold to private entities. This breach has ignited public outrage and prompted serious questions regarding the integrity of Iceland’s justice system.
“A Serious Crime”
Gunnlaugsdóttir stated, “This is a betrayal of the system. It undermines the trust of colleagues who uphold integrity and reflects a betrayal of the public at large,” in response to inquiries from Progressive Party MP Ingibjörg Isaksen.
The Minister expressed deep concern over the situation, asserting that while all details remain undisclosed, there are strong indications that a serious crime has occurred. “The nation rightly expects transparency and reliability from the legal system,” she emphasized.
Trust and Transparency at Stake
Isaksen pressed the Minister about whether this breach might indicate a deeper decline in privacy and legal certainty within Icelandic society. Gunnlaugsdóttir responded that it is premature to draw systemic conclusions, but acknowledged the severity of the incident is undeniable.
“The unfortunate reality is that the entirety of the system is tarnished by these events,” she noted, adding that it is apparent that data was accessed improperly and misused.
The Justice Minister confirmed that both the Police Oversight Committee and the Office of the Attorney General are investigating the situation. “My stance regarding the seriousness of this issue is unequivocal,” she stated.
Evidence of Systemic Abuse
MP Ingibjörg Isaksen highlighted the human impact of this breach, pointing out that numerous victims were individuals merely exercising their legal rights. “This incident transcends a mere data leak—it includes unauthorized interceptions and recordings used against those pursuing justice,” she asserted.
While acknowledging that government actions thus far are a positive step, Isaksen cautioned that public trust has sustained considerable damage. She queried whether Alþingi would receive comprehensive results of the ensuing investigation and what preventive measures would be enacted to avert future breaches.
Reinforcing Institutional Safeguards
The Minister underscored the necessity for media oversight, institutional vigilance, and robust internal safeguards in light of the incident. “Significant progress has already been made within law enforcement and the legal sphere since these cases were under scrutiny,” she commented. “Although the risk can never be entirely eliminated, our mission is to minimize it and ensure that swift, decisive responses are executed whenever breaches occur.”
