Delays in Findata’s services due to a high number of citizens’ GDPR requests

Due to recent media coverage, the significantly increased number of citizens’ requests is causing delays in Findata’s legally mandated duties.

Our services are currently congested as we have received an exceptionally high number of requests under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to object to the use of personal data or to obtain information about it.

Everyone has the right to access their own data, correct it, restrict its processing, and object to its processing.

We are doing our best to process the requests as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, handling these requests is causing delays in Findata’s legal obligations and customer service, particularly in the processing of data permit applications, data processing, and ensuring the anonymity of results.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delays.

Background: Yle’s coverage on FinRegistry

Yle reported on June 15 (yle.fi), June 16 (yle.fi), and June 19 (yle.fi) about the FinRegistry research project data by THL and the University of Helsinki, for which data permits can be applied through Findata.

The news has sparked discussions about the secondary use of social and health data and citizens’ data protection.

It is important to remember that the secondary use of registry data has been an established practice in Finland for decades.

The Act on Secondary Use of Social and Health Data, which came into effect in 2019, has made it more regulated and significantly raised the levels of data security and protection.

As the national data permit authority, Findata has the statutory authority under the Act on Secondary Use to grant data permits and compile ready-made datasets.

We have compiled an article on our website that provides answers to questions raised by the media coverage: Concerned about the FinRegistry ready-made dataset? Read more about the dataset and how to object to the processing of your data