Information requests
Every person has the right to make an information request concerning their personal data and also the right to obtain access to a public document held by a public authority. Such requests can be made informally, for example, by phone or email.
Every person has the right to make an information request concerning their personal data and also the right to obtain access to a public document held by a public authority. Such requests can be made informally, for example, by phone or email.
However, there is also information that can only be provided under certain conditions and for which the authority must consider whether the information can be provided to the requester.
According to the Act on the Openness of Government Activities, a person whose rights, interests or obligations are affected by a matter has the right to obtain information from the authority that handles or processes the matter on the contents of a document, other than a public document, which may or may have affected the handling of their matter. When requesting information on a confidential document or documents which can only be disclosed under certain conditions, the person requesting the document must state the purpose for which the information is used and be able to prove their identity. Information requests concerning confidential documents shall be made in writing.
When only a part of the document is public, the requested information is given for the public part of the document in such a way that the confidential part is not disclosed.
The response to the information request can be subject to a charge for the requester: Charges for document requests.
The documents created in the University's activities are mainly public. Data can be withheld only due to reasons relating to confidentiality regulations or protection of personal data. There are no formal requirements for information requests in accordance with the Act on the Openness of Government Activities, but the requested document has to be identified as closely as possible so that the University knows which document the request concerns and finding the correct document is easier.
The documents related to the University's activities as an authority are registered in the case register and information requests related to these documents will be handled by the Registry. Information request refers to a document request in accordance with the Act on the Openness of Government Activities and an information request in accordance with the Data Protection Regulation.
When requesting information from the register, you can use, for example, the case number, the date of the document, the date of the decision, and the name of the initiator of the matter and the decision-maker as identifying information.
When your information request concerns documents, identifying information may include the name of the register or service where the document is processed and the type of the document (e.g. application, decision, notice). The University's description of document publicity can be found on the description of document publicity page.
If necessary, contact the University’s Registry to clarify your request, and the Registry will forward the request to the right person for processing:
Email: kirjaamo@utu.fi
Telephone: +358 50 359 1729
Postal address: Kirjaamo, Yliopistonmäki, FI-20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland
You have the right to check your personal data in the registers. For information requests based on the EU General Data Protection Regulation, such as requests to inspect your personal data, see the page on the rights of the data subject.
Information on a public document will be provided as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks after the information request is made. If the processing and resolving of an information request requires special measures or a greater workload than usual, the information from the document will be disclosed or the case resolved within one month of the information request at the latest.
According to the EU General Data Protection Regulation, a personal data request and a request for rectification of incorrect data must be responded to without undue delay and at the latest within one month of receiving the request. The period can be extended by up to two months.
Depending on the nature, scope and format of the requested information, the University may provide the information either electronically, in paper form or for on-site inspection.
Research, reports, and theses on the University organisation require a research permit, for more information see the Research permit page.