upplýsinga

Upplýsingar is the Icelandic word for information or data, referring to facts, statements, and knowledge that are communicated, recorded, or stored about a subject. The term encompasses raw data as well as organized or interpreted knowledge. In Icelandic usage, upplýsinga appear in everyday speech—from news reports and manuals to research findings—and in official, technical, and legal contexts such as records, statistics, and public notices.

Originating from the verb upplýsa, to inform or enlighten, upplýsing is the noun from which plural upplýsingar is formed. The form upplýsinga is a grammatical variation, commonly seen in genitive and related cases, meaning “of information.”

In information theory and related fields, information is distinguished from data and knowledge. Data are raw observations; information is data that have been organized and given meaning; knowledge is information that has been integrated and applied in context.

Information plays a central role in governance, journalism, education, and commerce. The handling of information, especially personal information such as persónuupplýsingar, is governed by privacy and data protection rules, aligning with broader European standards on data privacy and security.

Open access, transparency, and reliable information exchange are ongoing concerns in the Icelandic information landscape, where accuracy, accessibility, and privacy must be balanced.