eikosketusperiaatteella

Eikosketusperiaatteella is a Finnish phrase that translates roughly to “in accordance with the eikosketus principle,” and is used to denote a general approach or stance rather than a single, codified rule. The term appears in Finnish-language discussions across areas such as public administration, service design, ethics of technology, and legal studies.

The core idea associated with the phrase is to guide interactions, procedures, and decisions so that they are fair, proportionate, minimally invasive, and accessible. In practice, it suggests balancing stakeholder contact: ensuring services engage with users without imposing unnecessary burdens, and that engagement is proportional to purpose and risk. The principle is often invoked to justify design choices that prioritize user experience, privacy, and inclusiveness.

Origin and usage: The components of the phrase are “periaatteella” (in accordance with a principle) combined with a noun that appears in limited specialist texts. Because it is not a widely standardized legal or ethical rule, its interpretation varies across authors and contexts. It is mainly found in theoretical discussions, policy drafts, and case studies rather than in codified law.

Applications: In public services, the phrase may underpin guidelines for user-centered service delivery, accessibility requirements, consent procedures in data practices, and evaluative frameworks for AI interactions. It functions as a heuristic rather than a prescriptive checklist.

Criticism: Critics note that the term can be vague and difficult to operationalize; without concrete metrics, it risks being interpreted differently by actors, leading to inconsistencies.

See also: proportionality, user-centered design, accessibility, ethics of technology.

References: Usage is primarily found in Finnish-language discourse; scholarly treatment is limited and context-dependent.