tietopyyntö

Tietopyyntö is a Finnish term referring to a request for information or data. It is used to describe a formal demand to disclose information or records held by another party, such as a public authority, a company, or any organization.

In the context of public administration, tietopyyntö often relates to access to information under Finland’s openness of government activities laws. Citizens can submit a tietopyyntö to a public authority to obtain documents, decisions, procedures, or other information about how decisions are made. The authority is obligated to respond, providing the requested information or explaining if access is restricted by law or privacy exemptions.

In the privacy and data protection context, the term is used for data subject requests. A tietopyyntö may take the form of a data subject access request (DSAR) under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Finnish data protection legislation. A DSAR allows an individual to confirm whether their personal data is processed, access the data, and receive information about processing purposes, recipients, storage period, and rights. The controller must respond within one month, with possible extensions for complex cases. Identity verification is often required to prevent unauthorised disclosure.

Submitting a tietopyyntö typically involves providing clear details about what information is sought, contact information, and, for DSARs, proof of identity. Depending on the context, requests may be submitted through official channels, online forms, or direct contact with the relevant authority or data controller. The handling of requests may be subject to exemptions, fees for certain services, or limitations to protect privacy and security.

Tietopyyntö serves as a common tool to promote transparency and protect individual information rights in Finland.