Protection of electronic communication

 

Every Finnish citizen has the right to confidential electronic communications. This means that without a right prescribed under law or the consent of a party to the communication in question, no-one has the right to process another person’s messages or identification data related to communication.

 

In Finland, the confidentiality of electronic communications is guaranteed under law. Finnish providers of communications services, such as e-mail service operators, must ensure information security and the confidentiality of communications in the services they provide. The legislation of some countries does not ensure the absolute protection of the confidentiality of communications in the way that Finland’s legislation does.

 

Every Internet user should carefully consider which communication services to use, and select the protection measures they apply. If necessary, messages requiring protection can be encrypted.

 

Determine – assess – protect

• You should bear in mind that legislation concerning communications services in Finland only protects the confidentiality of messages transmitted through Finnish communications services and information networks. •   Determine the services you use and identify the purposes for which any information you submit will be used. •   Assess your messages to determine which of them require protection. •   Whenever necessary, protect your messages by encryption. •   Remember to protect your wireless network too, if you are using one.