Turvallisuussyyn

Turvallisuussyyn is a Finnish term meaning a justification based on safety or security concerns. It is used to indicate that a decision, action, or restriction is taken to protect people, property, information, or public order. The phrase is common in official, legal, and organizational communications, where precise reasons may be withheld or summarized in the interest of security.

Etymology and form: The term combines turvallisuus (security) with syy (reason). It appears in several grammatical forms depending on the sentence, such as turvallisuussyyn vuoksi, turvallisuussyistä, or nojalla. The genitive form turvallisuusyyn is used in contexts where the reason is the subject of a statement (for example, “turvallisuusyyn nojalla”). The expression is typically used to refer to a broad, sometimes non-specific justification rather than a detailed explanation.

Usage and contexts: Turvallisuussyyn is widely used in law, public administration, business, and media to justify actions like withholding information, restricting access to facilities, delaying releases, or implementing protective measures. In data protection and IT security, it may underlie decisions to limit data processing, surveillance, or disclosure when safety concerns or risk mitigation are involved. The phrasing can signal legitimate concern, but it can also be criticized if used opaquely or as an umbrella for non-transparent practices.

Relation to transparency and governance: The concept reflects the balance between openness and protection. While citing turvallisuussyyn can be appropriate for safeguarding stakeholders, it may reduce accountability if the justification is vague. In many jurisdictions and organizations, there is an ongoing emphasis on clarifying security-related decisions to maintain trust.

See also: turvallisuus, salassapito, tiedon julkisuus, tietoturva, henkilötietojen käsittely.