tilastolainsäädäntö

Tilastolainsäädäntö is the Finnish legal framework governing the collection, processing, and dissemination of official statistics. It defines the responsibilities of public authorities, the rights of respondents, and the purposes for which statistical data may be used. The framework primarily centers on Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), but also covers other government agencies that carry out statistical activities.

The main objectives are to ensure high-quality, comparable, and timely statistics while protecting individuals’ privacy and the confidentiality of information. Principles include statistical confidentiality, accuracy, transparency, and proportionality. The legislation regulates how data may be collected (surveys, administrative registers, and data linkage), stored, processed, and published. It also sets conditions for using administrative data for statistical purposes to minimize respondent burden.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone: personal data used for statistics is protected, and data are typically anonymized or aggregated when published. Access to microdata is tightly controlled, with researchers allowed access under strict terms and in controlled environments. Respondents have rights related to data rights and must be informed about data usage in a clear manner.

Governance involves Statistics Finland as the primary national statistic authority, with implementation and enforcement by relevant ministries and supervisory bodies. The legislation aligns with EU statistical regulations and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring consistency with European standards for cross-border data use and data protection.

Overall, tilastolainsäädäntö aims to balance the public interest of reliable statistics with individuals’ privacy and data security.