The Digi- and Population Data Authority of Finland issued a warning regarding the production of passports that rely on security features vulnerable to quantum computing. As technology progresses, the risk of these features being compromised during the validity period of passports increases significantly. The authority noted that encryption methods currently employed in passport security may not withstand the advancements in quantum computing in the coming years, which could render personal data protected by these passports susceptible to misuse.

A proposal by the Ministry of the Interior is under review, aiming to introduce a new law by 2027 that addresses these security concerns. If implemented, a significant number of passports may need to be invalidated and replaced, as their personal data protection would no longer be reliable. The authority highlighted that once passports are issued with compromised security features, they cannot simply be updated or modified; holders would be required to obtain entirely new documents.

The implications of this situation stress the urgent need to advance passport production methodologies to ensure that they are resilient against the emerging threats posed by quantum computing. This transition is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of personal identification documents in Finland and potentially avoiding significant logistical challenges for both the authorities and the citizens affected by these changes.