väestötietolainsäädäntö

Väestötietolainsäädäntö refers to the body of laws and regulations governing the collection, processing, and use of population data in Finland. This legislation ensures the accuracy, confidentiality, and lawful handling of personal information related to individuals residing in the country. The primary aim is to balance the need for comprehensive population data for administrative and statistical purposes with the fundamental right to privacy.

Key legislation in this area includes the Population Information Act (Väestötietojärjestelmästä ja Digi- ja väestötietoviraston varmennepalveluista annettu laki) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union, which is directly applicable in Finland. These laws define what information can be collected, how it should be stored and secured, who can access it, and for what purposes it can be used.

The Finnish Digital and Population Data Service Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto) is the central authority responsible for maintaining the population register system. This register contains essential information about individuals, such as names, personal identity codes, addresses, and family relationships. The data is used for a wide range of public services, including taxation, healthcare, voting, and social security.

Väestötietolainsäädäntö also addresses issues of data accuracy and updating. Citizens have the right to access their own data and request corrections if inaccuracies are found. Strict rules govern the sharing of population data with third parties, requiring explicit consent or a clear legal basis. The legislation is designed to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of population information.