The Data Subject’s Right of Access and to be Informed in Finland: An Experimental Study
Abstract
The EC Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC emphasises the role of transparency in fair and lawful processing of personal data. This study describes the results from sending forty requests for access to data held and information on processing to controllers of personal data in Finland. The results show that there are still difficulties in gaining access, in verifying the correctness of information provided and in the procedures controllers employ to provide information. These factors are discussed in light of Finnish and EC regulation, as well as information systems. Proposals are put forward as to how the difficulties might be addressed.