The new secrecy provisions protecting privacy are based on the reform of the basic rights and the European Union Directive on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data as well as on the practice relating to the European Human Rights Convention. Therefore, the restrictions on access to information have to be interpreted narrowly. Also otherwise, the authority have to take the general principles of governance into account in its activity. Access to information may not be restricted any more than what is necessary to protect the interests in question and persons requesting information will have to treated on an equal basis. Principles for customer service Under the new Act, the authorities have to ensure that their customer service functions well.
Persons requesting information have to be served quickly and efficiently.
Where necessary, they also have to be assisted in locating the information they want. All persons requesting information have to be treated on an equal basis. The authority has to assist in specifying the document requested. This takes place by means of diaries and subject-matter indexes. The person requesting information still keeps his identity to himself, as well as the reasons for requesting the information.