Siviilikäyttöönkin

Siviilikäyttöönkin is a Finnish phrase that translates literally to “for civilian use as well.” The term is most often encountered in discussions of dual‑use goods, technologies, or policies, indicating that a particular item or regulation applies not only to military or defense contexts but also to civilian sectors. In international arms control and export‑control regimes, the phrase signals the inclusion of civilian applications in the oversight of otherwise restricted or regulated materials. It can appear in national legislation, such as export‑control acts, wherein certain items are specified as dual‑use and thus subject to licenses for both military and civilian use. In legislative debates, proponents may use the phrase to argue for broader oversight to prevent diversion of advanced technology from civilian industry into military programs. Critics often counter that applying the same stringent controls to civilian use hampers innovation and competitiveness in high‑tech industries.

In everyday usage, the phrase can describe commercial products that are suitable for everyday life but also serve defense or surveillance needs. For example, a camera technology developed for civilian security cameras might be labeled as “siviilikäyttöönkin”, underscoring its potential for both civilian street‑camera deployment and covert military surveillance. The phrase is also used in academic contexts to discuss the dual‑use nature of scientific research, such as in genetics, where breakthroughs in medical therapies can also yield capabilities for biological weapons.

Thus, siviilikäyttöönkin highlights the dual nature of certain technologies and underlines the policy need to address both civilian and military dimensions within regulatory frameworks. The term is an integral part of Finnish discourse on defense, technology transfer, and national security policy.