rekisteri

Rekisteri, in Finnish usage, is a structured collection of data about persons, organizations, or things that is maintained for a defined purpose. A rekisteri can be a database or a paper file, and it is kept by a person or an organization acting as the data controller (rekisterinpitäjä). The data items in a rekisteri are typically selected to support the register’s specific function, such as administration, decision making, or research.

Regulatory context: In Finland and the European Union, rekisterien processing is governed by data protection rules, notably the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national supplementary legislation. The data controller is responsible for lawful basis, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, and safeguarding rights for registered individuals. Personal data within a rekisteri must be accessed only by authorized personnel and under appropriate security measures. Examples of common rekisteri include population registers, business or land registers, employee registers, and client or customer registries.

Structure and governance: A rekisteri typically has defined roles, such as the data controller, data processor, and, where applicable, a data protection officer. Data quality and retention policies specify how long information is kept and when it is erased. Data subjects have rights to access, correct, or request deletion, and to object to processing in certain contexts; these rights must be supported by procedures for verification and response.

Uses and challenges: Rekisteritutkimus, or register-based research, relies on linking data from multiple rekisteri to study health, employment, or education outcomes, often under strict ethical oversight. Benefits include comprehensive evidence and efficiency, while challenges include interoperability between systems, risk of re-identification, and the need for robust governance to protect privacy.