Social welfare and healthcare data stored in the Kanta Services can be used for scientific research. The data can also be used to identify rare diseases.
When data is utilised in research, this use is referred to as secondary use of the data. Researchers obtain permission to use the data from Finnish Social and Health Data Permit Authority Findata (findata.fi)(opens new window).
In MyKanta, you can set up a denial of consent to being contacted regarding research findings
In addition to the actual research, information accumulated from research may also be used to prevent health risks to an individual or to improve their treatment.
If a significant finding concerning a person’s health is discovered during research, the authorities can find out the identity of the person. The healthcare professionals in the wellbeing services county can then contact the person to provide information and possible treatment options.
If you wish, you can prohibit the wellbeing services county from contacting you in such a situation. If you deny consent to being contacted, professionals in the wellbeing services county will not be able to contact you to explain about the information discovered in the research data and any necessary examination and treatment procedures.
You can set up a denial of consent to being contacted about the findings of register research in MyKanta or when visiting a healthcare professional in your wellbeing services county. A denial of consent to being contacted is valid until further notice. You can also withdraw the denial of consent in MyKanta or when visiting a healthcare professional in your wellbeing services county.
Even if you have not set up a denial of consent to be contacted, you can still refuse the information if you are contacted by a wellbeing services county professional.
You can limit the research use of your data through Findata
You can limit the research use of your data from the Kanta Services by contacting Findata. More information about your rights and instructions on how to restrict the secondary use of your data can be found on Findata’s website:
You can read more about limiting the processing of your data subject to disclosure to the data files of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in the privacy notices for data files (thl.fi)(opens new window).
A request to limit or object to the use of data cannot be addressed to the Kanta Services, as Kanta Services is not the controller of the data. The controller of social services and healthcare client data stored in the Kanta Services is, for example, a wellbeing services county or a private healthcare service provider.
It is not possible to object to the processing of data for a secondary purpose if the processing is based on the controller’s legal obligation. For example, the data may be used when an authority carries out the supervision of healthcare professionals or pharmacies.