Finland wants to be a forerunner in the implementation of a humane and sustainable information society. In practice this implys user-friendly, accessible and safe electronic services and information and cultural contents that can be used by all citizens through computers, digital TV's or mobile communicators. The Strategy states that an uncontrolled Information Society development may imply several risks and lead to more inequality between people and finally to the exclusion of some population groups and areas. The Information Society Advisory Board, consisting of representatives from the public, private and third sector, works under the auspices of the Finnish government. It aims to follow and promote Information Society development and related concrete measures in Finland as well as advance co-operation in the area.
The Finnish population is rapidly ageing. Strategies and measures promoting the participation of older people in information society and preventing the digital divide are vital in order to guarantee the social cohesion and the competitiveness of Finland. The use of ICT is very widespread in Finland. For example in using the Internet and mobile phones the Finns are among the ones in front in EU. The Finnish information and communication strategy is based on the principles of equality and accessibility. Concrete measures that have been taken in Finland to make ICT more accessible concern mostly education of all citizens on the one hand, and service and product development on the other.
Finland has various legislation and laws developed to protect the rights of individuals and promote developments and innovations. Legislative/regulative barriers are Domestic legislation relating to Information Society development has been actively reformed in the last few years. New central Acts, such as the legislation on the electronic identification card and the Act on Electronic Communication in Administration, entered into force in 1999 and 2000. Several
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