Informatsiooniteenused

Informatsiooniteenused (information services) is a sector that encompasses the creation, management, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information, delivered through digital and traditional channels. The term is used to describe activities and services that enable access to, use and distribution of information in various formats.

The scope includes a wide range of activities, such as electronic information services like online databases, news portals and digital libraries; data processing, analytics and knowledge management; hosting, cloud computing and other information infrastructure; and the distribution of digital content and metadata. It also covers information brokerage, content creation, archiving and cataloguing, as well as related consulting and support services.

In both public and private sectors, informatsiooniteenused enable government portals, open data initiatives, media, education and research institutions to access, share and reuse information. They are a central component of the digital economy, supporting decision-making, innovation and public service delivery, and facilitating communication between citizens, businesses and institutions.

Regulation of informatsiooniteenused typically addresses information privacy and security, copyright and intellectual property, data portability and accessibility. Policy considerations include data protection, freedom of information, interoperability and digital inclusion. Market development is affected by technology change, competition, cross-border data flows, standards and the availability of skilled personnel.

Common examples include libraries and archives offering digital access to collections, news agencies and search or aggregator services, cloud and hosting providers, and IT service firms that manage information systems for clients.