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Controller's legitimate interests The processing of personal data can sometimes be justified due to the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party. The use of legitimate interests as a basis for processing requires particularly carefu...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/controller-s-legitimate-interests
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Declaration of Data Protection Officer Purpose of processing The purpose of processing the personal data of Data Protection Officers is to enable communication between the supervisory authority and the Data Protection Officers of controllers and p...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/declaration-of-data-protection-officer
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Lecture requests The Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman’s experts can be invited to give lectures at training events held by stakeholders and other organisations. As a rule, such lectures are subject to a fee. The fees are based on the Act on...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/lecture-requests
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Rights of the data subject When a controller processes personal data, it must take appropriate measures to ensure that the data protection rights of data subjects are fulfilled. Controllers are also required facilitate the exercise of the data sub...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/rights-of-the-data-subject
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Accountability in scientific research The controller must be prepared to demonstrate that data protection regulations have been taken into account in the study. Researchers must document the implementation of data-protection principles and other p...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/accountability-in-scientific-research
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Current issues Annual report of the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman 2025: Artificial intelligence and world politics were highlighted in data protection work Publication date: 14.7.2026 Supreme Administrative Court upholds the administrati...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/current-issues
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Find out whether the Data Protection Ombudsman can help you What do you want to do? I want to obtain information on the processing of my personal data. I want access to my personal data I want to rectify my personal data. I want to erase my person...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/en/find-out-whether-the-data-protection-ombudsman-can-help-you-rights
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Purpose limitation The purpose of processing personal data must be planned and defined clearly before the start of processing. Personal data may only be collected and processed for a specific and lawful purpose. The data may not be processed in a ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/purpose-limitation
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The processing of personal data at the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsmanhttps://tietosuoja.fi/en/our-data-protection-policy
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Scientific research and data protection Taking care of data protection builds trust in research subjects and is a requirement for the success of any study. It is essential to plan the processing of personal data for its entire lifespan before the ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/scientific-research-and-data-protection
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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 ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/processors
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Data protection officers A data protection officer is an expert within the organisation, who monitors the processing of personal data and provides advice on compliance with data protection regulations. The data protection officer monitors complian...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/data-protection-officers
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Frequently asked questions about search engines How do I request that a search result be erased from a search engine? Contact the search engine directly to request the erasure of a search result. Out of the search engines, at least Google and Bing...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-search-engines
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Frequently asked questions about the internet Is the controller entitled to publish personal data from its personal data file on its website? Personal data stored in a personal data file may only be published on the internet with the consent of th...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-internet
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Transfers on the basis of an adequacy decision Personal data can be transferred out of the European Union and European Economic Area if the European Commission has issued a decision on an adequate level of protection for personal data (‘adequacy d...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/transfers-on-the-basis-of-an-adequacy-decision
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Frequently asked questions about the Digital Services Act (DSA) What kinds of operators are subject to the DSA's obligations? The obligations imposed by the Digital Services Act (DSA) apply to all online services, referred to as 'intermediary serv...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/digital-services-act-dsa-
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Derogations for specific situations Article 49 of the General Data Protection Regulation provides for derogations for specific situations. They are a last-resort basis for data transfer, only applicable in exceptional cases . The transfer of data ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/derogations-for-specific-situations
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Brexit and the transfer of personal data to the UK When the transition period for the withdrawal from the EU ended, the United Kingdom lost all its rights and obligations as a Member State. Due to the withdrawal from the EU, data protection regula...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/brexit-and-the-transfer-of-personal-data-to-the-uk
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Frequently asked questions regarding the adequacy decision concerning data protection in the United States For organisations What does the adequacy decision concerning the United States mean? The European Commission's decision on the adequacy of d...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-adequacy-decision-concerning-data-protection-in-the-united-states
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Accessibility statement of Tietosuoja.fi This accessibility statement applies to the website www.tietosuoja.fi and it was created on 22 September 2020. The statement has been updated on 20 January 2026. We are committed to providing accessibility ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/accessibility-statement
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Frequently asked questions about banking Are banks permitted to copy my ID? Yes. Banks have a statutory obligation to know and identify their customers. Among other things, this means that the bank must verify the customer’s identity in a reliable...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-banking
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Annual report 2025 The annual report describes the year's most important data protection events, supervision measures in different sectors and presents the key figures for the Office's operations. Annual report of the Office of the Data Protection...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/annual-report-2025
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Processors’ responsibilities Processors are governed by the General Data Protection Regulation if they are established in an EU Member State they are not established in an EU Member State but their personal data processing activities relate to the...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/processors-responsibilities
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Data Protection Legislation General Data Protection Regulation (EUR-Lex) Data Protection Act (pdf, Finlex) Law Enforcement Directive (EUR-Lex) Law Enforcement Act Data Protection Act The Data Protection Act (1050/2018) specifies and supplements th...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/legislation
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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...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/accuracy-of-data
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When a competent authority processes your personal data The Act on the Processing of Personal Data in Criminal Matters and in Connection with Maintaining National Security sets down your rights when a competent authority processes your personal da...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/when-a-competent-authority-processes-your-personal-data
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Lawfulness, fairness and transparency The processing of personal data shall be lawful, fair and transparent. Lawfulness The processing of personal data must be done in compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and other legislati...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/lawfulness-fairness-and-transparency
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Frequently asked questions about genealogy What personal data can I process for purposes of genealogical research? The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does not specify what personal data may be processed for genealogical purposes. The es...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-genealogy
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Designating a data protection officer A data protection officer must be designated if your organisation processes sensitive data on a large scale monitors individuals regularly, systematically and on a large scale or your organisation is a public ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/designating-a-data-protection-officer
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If you would like to have your personal data transferred to another controller In certain situations, you have the right to receive your data and transfer them to another service provider. The right to data portability makes it easier for you to c...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/if-you-would-like-to-have-your-personal-data-transferred-to-another-controller
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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...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/regulation-on-political-advertising
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Destruction, anonymisation or archiving of data at the conclusion of research When a study ends, the controller must ensure that data is appropriately destroyed, anonymised or archived. Data protection regulations specify a lifespan for personal d...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/destruction-anonymisation-or-archiving-of-data
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Transfer bases for authorities and the public sector Authorities and public organisations can transfer personal data to international organisations or the public bodies of third countries based on a European Commission decision on the adequacy of ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/transfer-bases-for-authorities-and-the-public-sector
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Everyone has the right to their own personal datahttps://tietosuoja.fi/en/private-persons
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If you want to have your data rectified You have the right to demand the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you. The accuracy of your personal data is a part of your legal protection. You have the right to be evaluated on the bas...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/if-you-want-to-have-your-data-rectified
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The researcher’s data protection expertise Data protection tools are a necessary part of the researcher’s work and competence. Compliance with data protection regulations builds trust and lays the groundwork for future research. Data protection re...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/researchers-data-protection-expertise
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Carrying out an impact assessment 1. Draw up a systematic description of the envisaged processing operations and the purposes of the processing Draw up a description of the nature, scope, context and purposes of the processing of personal data. Id...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/carrying-out-an-impact-assessment
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Know your rights The EU's General Data Protection Regulation sets down your rights when a company or organisation is processing your personal data. You have the right to obtain information on the processing of your personal data of access to your ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/know-your-rights
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Right to restriction of processing The data subject can request the controller to restrict the processing of personal data concerning him or her. The restriction of processing means that, in addition to storage, the personal data subject to the re...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/right-to-restriction-of-processing
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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...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/telephone-guidance
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Know your responsibility and build trusthttps://tietosuoja.fi/en/organisations
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Scientific research FAQ Learn more about scientific research on our website Scientific research and data protection . Does scientific research always require consent for the processing of personal data? No. Personal data can be processed for resea...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-scientific-research
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Data Protection Officer of the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman The Data Protection Officer of the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman acts as a contact person when the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman processes your personal dat...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/data-protection-officer
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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...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-personal-identity-code
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If you do not want your data processed In certain situations, you have the right to restrict the processing of your personal data. You can also object to the processing of your personal data if you do not want it processed at all. Personal data re...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/if-you-do-not-want-your-data-processed
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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...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/when-is-the-processing-of-personal-data-permitted
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Frequently asked questions about Data Protection Officers More information about data protection officers and instructions for organisations and managers that have designated a data protection officer Do the Data Protection Officer's name and cont...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-dpos
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Frequently asked questions about phone calls Are individuals allowed to record their own telephone conversations? Citizens have the right to record telephone calls in which they are the caller or receiver. Finland’s Constitution gives the right to...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-phone-calls
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Claiming damages for violations of the GDPR Data subjects are entitled to damages if a controller or processor of personal data violates the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the violation causes material or immaterial damage to the data s...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/claiming-damages
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Pseudonymised and anonymised data Pseudonymised personal data Pseudonymisation means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific person without the use of additional information...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/pseudonymised-and-anonymised-data
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This section provides answers to common questions.https://tietosuoja.fi/en/frequently-asked-questions
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Personal data breaches What is a personal data breach? A personal data breach means an event leading to the destruction, loss, alteration or unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data. Examples of personal data breaches include lost d...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/personal-data-breaches
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Data protection in the development and use of AI systems These pages have information on the requirements arising from data protection legislation that should be taken into account when artificial intelligence (AI) systems are developed and used. ...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/ai-systems-and-data-protection
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The right to rectification Data subjects have the right to demand the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them and to have incomplete personal data completed. How quickly is the controller required to reply to the data subject’s r...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/right-to-rectification
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Processing of personal data The processing of personal data refers to activities such as the collection, storage, use, transfer and disclosure of personal data. All activities involving personal data, from the planning of processing to the erasure...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/processing-of-personal-data
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Have you been notified of the processing of your personal data? | Data Protection Ombudsman’s Office
Have you been notified of the processing of your personal data? You have the right to obtain information on the purpose for which your personal data is collected and how it is processed. A company, authority or corporation processing your personal...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/have-you-been-notified-of-the-processing-of-your-personal-data -
Registry You can enquire after matters concerning instituting and pending a case from the registry of the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman. This kind of enquiries are for example how should a case be sent to the Office of the Data Protectio...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/registry
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Visiting the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman Instituting a case Our website contains electronic forms for instituting cases falling within the competence of the data protection authorities ( read more on our office’s electronic services )....https://tietosuoja.fi/en/visiting-the-office
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Frequently asked questions about elections On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about election advertising and data protection. See also: Frequently asked questions about direct marketing Information on the EU regulati...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/faq-elections
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Right to erasure In certain cases, the data subject has the right to have the controller erase data concerning him or her without undue delay. This right is also known as the right to be forgotten. The controller is obligated to erase the personal...https://tietosuoja.fi/en/right-to-erasure