Government proposes more detailed conditions for use of technology in social welfare

The Government proposes more detailed conditions for how and when technology can be used in social welfare services. The proposal makes a clearer distinction between different technological solutions and situations where they can be used.

The proposal concerns matters such as providing guidance and assistance via remote connection, checking the wellbeing or safety of clients and using technological solutions that monitor the activities or location of clients. More stringent conditions would be laid down for the use of solutions that interfere more strongly with privacy.

The Government prepared a supplementary proposal in response to the statements PeVL 51/2025 vp and PeVL 36/2026 vp issued by the Constitutional Law Committee. The Committee required that the conditions and restrictions concerning the use of technological solutions be set out more precisely in legislation. In July, the Government decided to supplement its earlier proposal, and a consultation on the supplementary proposal was held in August.

Use of technology must be based on clients’ individual needs

Technological solutions should be suitable for the service provided to clients and meet their needs. It would also be necessary to establish clients’ opinions. In addition, clients should be told how the use of technology would affect the service and how the service could be provided without technology.

Clients’ right to human encounters and personal interaction should also be safeguarded when technology is used in the provision of services.

Remote connections could be used to guide and assist clients in matters such as taking the necessary medicines or carrying out other daily activities. In housing or institutional services, the wellbeing or safety of clients could be checked from time to time through a real-time video or audio connection. Clients would need to be informed of the opening of the connection in a manner that is easy for them to understand and perceive.