Poll: 43% of Estonians think security agencies have overstepped in surveillance

A new survey commissioned by the NGO Institute for Social Studies reveals that 43% of Estonian citizens believe the country's security agencies have gone too far with surveillance activities. Only 36% disagree with this assessment.

A new survey commissioned by the NGO Institute for Social Studies (MTÜ Ühiskonnauuringute Instituut) has found that a significant portion of the Estonian public is concerned about the reach of domestic intelligence activities. According to the poll, 43% of citizens believe Estonian security agencies have crossed a reasonable boundary in their surveillance operations, while 36% do not share that view.

The findings highlight a notable divide in public opinion regarding the balance between national security and civil liberties in Estonia. With more than four in ten respondents expressing concern, the results suggest growing unease about the scope and oversight of intelligence work carried out by Estonian security services.

The remaining respondents — roughly one in five — either had no opinion or were uncertain, pointing to the complexity of the issue and the limited public visibility into how surveillance activities are conducted and regulated. The survey did not specify which particular agencies or practices respondents had in mind when forming their views.

Estonia's security landscape includes agencies such as the Internal Security Service (KAPO) and the Foreign Intelligence Service (VSSE), both of which operate under parliamentary oversight mechanisms. However, the level of public transparency around their operations remains limited by the sensitive nature of intelligence work, which may contribute to the scepticism reflected in the survey results.