Good news: fingerprint-free ID card and critical Council of State questions EU Court

Just now, Privacy First Foundation was pleased to learn of 1) the bill announced today abolishing fingerprints in identity cards and 2) the decision of the Council of State to refer so-called preliminary questions on the validity and interpretation of the European Passport Regulation to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in four cases of individual citizens. Privacy First Foundation hereby calls on the Dutch parliament to adopt the bill abolishing fingerprints in ID cards as soon as possible. In anticipation of the expected adoption of the bill, the collection of fingerprints for ID cards should be stopped immediately or at least (as a temporary solution) be made voluntary. Privacy First also hopes that the European Court will urgently address the questions raised by the Council of State and conclude that the compulsory fingerprinting for passports is unlawful for violating the right to privacy. Further comment by Privacy First on e.g. follows.

Update 6pm: also listen to the Interview with Privacy First this afternoon on Radio 1.

Update 29 September 2012: see also our reaction in the regional press. The full decisions of the Council of State can also be read on Rechtspraak.nl: LJN: BX8644, LJN: BX8646, LJN: BX8647 & LJN: BX8654.