Viestintäsalaisuus

Viestintäsalaisuus, often translated as the secrecy of communication or confidentiality of communication, is a fundamental legal principle in many jurisdictions, particularly in Finland and other Nordic countries. It refers to the legal protection afforded to private communications between individuals. This protection ensures that the content of conversations, correspondence, and other forms of communication cannot be arbitrarily disclosed or accessed by unauthorized parties.

The core idea behind viestintäsalaisuus is to safeguard individual privacy and freedom of expression. It recognizes that people need to be able to communicate openly and honestly without fear of their words being monitored or revealed to the public or to authorities without due legal process. This principle is enshrined in constitutional law and further elaborated in specific legislation.

Common examples of communications protected by viestintäsalaisuus include letters, emails, telephone calls, text messages, and private social media interactions. The law typically outlines specific circumstances under which these communications can be accessed or disclosed, such as with the explicit consent of the parties involved, or through a court order in cases of criminal investigation or proceedings. However, even in such cases, access is usually restricted and subject to strict legal safeguards to prevent misuse. The violation of viestintäsalaisuus can lead to legal consequences for the perpetrator.