Incorrect data is corrected
It is in Statistics Norway’s best interests for all data used in statistics to be correct. Extensive quality assurance checks are therefore performed on the data.
The purpose of collecting personal data is to compile official statistics on groups of persons and not on identifiable individuals - data on individuals in isolation is not relevant. Where incorrect information is registered on an individual, this will only have a bearing on the data processing itself and not on the individual. In the event that Statistics Norway identifies an error in the data, however, this will always be rectified in order to ensure that the statistics source is as accurate as possible.
Personal data is encrypted and stored for future use or deleted
Data that is no longer needed to produce statistics is deleted.
Personal data is normally stored for future use in order to enable Statistics Norway to create coherent statistics and to compare different areas of interest over long periods of time. Names and addresses are normally deleted and personal ID numbers are replaced by an encrypted ID number in such data in order to protect the identity of individuals. Encrypting the ID numbers means that data can be linked without the identity of the individual being revealed to staff producing the statistics.
Data from isolated surveys and/or where it is not necessary to store personal data for statistical purposes is deleted or anonymised after use.
In the case of voluntary surveys, it is the registered party’s consent that determines how long and in what form the data is stored. Where the data will not be deleted/anonymised immediately after the project is completed, this will be clearly conveyed in the information provided to the respondent prior to the survey.