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6.8.2025 | We have put together answers to frequently asked questions about alcohol and drug testing in the workplace on our website. We also added information on what employers should consider when collecting personal data from employees and job applicants.

Frequently asked questions about health care Rectifying patient records How can I rectify my patient records? If there are errors in your patient records, you can ask for their rectification. The rectification request is made to the health care un...

12.3.2020 | Data protection legislation does not restrict public health measures or the prevention of infectious diseases, but must still be taken into account in the processing of personal data. Public and private organisations have begun taking measures to limit the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 and mitigate its effects. Some of these measures may involve the processing of personal data.

23.3.2020 | The Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman has compiled answers to the most common questions concerning data protection and the coronavirus epidemic. The FAQ is published on the Office’s website, and its topics include the publication of coronavirus statistics, the definition of health data and the employer’s confidentiality obligation. The FAQ will be updated as required.

Frequently asked questions on data protection and the coronavirus What does health data mean? Health data refers to information about an individual’s health, diseases, disability or treatment. Health data belongs to the special categories of perso...

Frequently asked questions about working life What personal data on employees and job applicants can an employer process? The employer may only process personal data that is directly necessary with regard to the employee's employment relationship,...

Processing of special categories of personal data As a rule, the processing of personal data belonging to special categories is prohibited. Such data reveals the person’s ethnic origin political opinions religion or philosophical beliefs trade uni...

This section provides answers to common questions.

Telephone guidance Our telephone guidance service provides general guidance and support in matters involving data protection and lets you know if the case requires more detailed investigation and processing at our Office. In the first instance, tr...

Find out whether the Data Protection Ombudsman can help you Is the violation you have noticed related to The processing of personal data The publicity or confidentiality of a document The actions of authorities in your case The confidentiality of ...

Impact assessment Impact assessments are designed to identify, evaluate and control risks involved in the processing of personal data. They are designed to be a continuous process for identifying and controlling risks. Impact assessments must be c...

When is the processing of personal data permitted? Legal bases for processing personal data The processing of personal data always requires a legal basis, which must be determined before the start of processing. Once the processing of personal dat...

Frequently asked questions about personal identity code Is it permitted to ask for the personal identity code when a guest checks into a hotel? Yes. According to the Act on Accommodation and Food Service Activities (308/2006), an accommodation pro...

Choosing the processing basis and ensuring its lawfulness in scientific research As a rule, the controller is free to choose the basis for processing that is most applicable to the implementation of the study. The processing of special categories ...

Accuracy of data The personal data being processed must be accurate and up to date. Inaccurate personal data must be rectified or erased without delay. The controller must confirm the accuracy of the personal data being kept by it. The verificatio...

Right of access Data subjects have the right to receive confirmation from the controller on whether or not the controller is processing personal data that concerns them. The data subjects thus have the opportunity to evaluate and ensure the legali...

Automated decision-making and profiling What does profiling mean? Profiling means the automated processing of personal data for evaluating the personal aspects of an individual. In particular, profiling refers to the analysis or prediction of aspe...

Processors A processor is an individual or an organisation that processes personal data on behalf of a controller. Processors operate according to the controller’s instructions and under its supervision. The controller determines the purposes and ...

Telephone services at the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman Data processed in connection with the use of telephone services Switchboard The switchboard of the Government ICT Centre Valtori connects calls to the public officials working at th...

Regulation on political advertising and the powers of the Data Protection Ombudsman The EU regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising sets out rules on how political advertising may be targeted. The Data Protection Ombud...