upplýsingaskylda

Upplýsingaskylda refers to the obligation to provide information that is necessary for someone to understand rights, obligations, and the implications of an act or decision. It is a general legal concept used across Icelandic law, spanning contract and consumer law, data protection, and public administration. The core idea is that a party must disclose relevant facts, terms, and conditions in a clear and timely manner, enabling informed decision making.

In consumer transactions, businesses must present clear, accurate, and comprehensive information before a contract is formed and during its term. This includes the price and total cost, material features of the product or service, delivery and cancellation terms, remedies, and the right of withdrawal. Inadequate or misleading information can breach consumer protection statutes and may be subject to enforcement by the Icelandic Consumer Agency (Neytendastofa) and, if necessary, by the courts.

In data protection, data controllers have an information obligation to data subjects. They must provide notices describing the purposes and legal basis for processing, categories of data, recipients, retention periods, and the rights of the data subject. This information should be given at the time of collection or as soon as practicable, and in a concise, transparent form. Persónuvernd (the Data Protection Authority) oversees compliance and enforces relevant provisions.

In the public sector, authorities generally have an obligation to inform citizens about processes, decisions, and how to access public information, supporting transparency and accountability. Non-compliance can lead to regulatory penalties, civil liability, or corrective actions, depending on the context.