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SUMMARY
The heightened attention to privacy protection and the enactment of laws to control the flow of personal information is linked to developments in information technology. However, the awesome development in information technology is not the sole reason to give more attention to information control. Citizens have become alert and are more aware of their rights. A key role with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data is taken by the Convention for the Protection of Individuals adopted by the Council of Europe on January 28 1981. The twelve countries of the European Community have signed this treaty and implemented national privacy laws. These laws leave little room for the special requirements of social or epidemiological research. Removing scientific research completely from the scope of privacy laws is not a solution, nor is the full application of rules which were formulated with other problems in mind.
The introduction of powerful information technology in scientific research and progress in emancipation of citizens raises the problem of controlling that flow of information in the research context as well as in other spheres of action. The research community has a tradition of open communication which can easily come into conflict with the need to be careful with personal information. Clarification of rules of conduct and some external controls are advisable.