Riga Police Sold Dead People's Data — Liepāja Also Has Business, But Ours Is Rock Music

Riga police have proven they can make money even from the dead by selling their data to funeral companies. Seven law enforcement officers were arrested for passing information about the recently departed, collected during their duties, to business partners so they could be first to contact grieving relatives. This is about as ethical as offering bicycle repair services to someone who just got run over.

In Liepāja, of course, people also die, but we bury them with Jumprava songs, not with business offers organized by Riga police. Local cemetery manager Valdis says: 'We don't need any police help — our rock music attracts clients by itself.' Indeed, what could be better accompaniment to eternity than the sounds of 'We Are Going' from the direction of Liepāja Olympic Center?

IDB conducted searches and found evidence of this unusual business model. One police officer was even remanded in custody, which in Riga is about as rare as a sunny day in January. The others received non-custodial security measures, which sounds about as complicated as explaining Liepāja's tram route to a tourist.

While Riga police sell dead people's data, in Liepāja our only problem is that sometimes the volume at cemetery concerts exceeds permitted levels. But that's because our rock music is so good — even the dead want to listen.