National Privacy Conference 2026

Objective of the National Privacy Conference and the Dutch Privacy Awards is to work together with the business community, the government and academia to build a privacy-friendly society. The conference will take place at Nieuwspoort in The Hague.

The following question will be central to the 2026 National Privacy Conference: How do we keep privacy enforceable, workable and future-proof in a digital society?

Privacy is a core value of our free society – but also a daily issue. How do we protect personal data in such a way that legislation remains enforceable, innovation is given room to flourish, and citizens are truly helped? During this conference, we will examine how the Netherlands maintains the balance between protection and workability, between trust and progress.

The afternoon session will be chaired by Tom Jessen, who has been the regular chairperson since the very first edition of the National Privacy Conference, ensuring that the discussion remains focused and accessible.

During the conference, the nominees for the Dutch Privacy Awards with video pitches to the jury and the public. As is tradition, Privacy First closes the conference with the presentation of the Awards.

Programme

13:00 – Doors open.
13:30 – Welcome by Marjolijn Bonthuis (ECP) and chairperson Tom Jessen. The conference opens with a look at the current state of privacy in the Netherlands, its strategic importance and the most important developments towards 2026.
1:40 p.m. – The Netherlands as a leader in privacy – Bart Schellekens (National Organisation for Development, Digitisation and Innovation, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations).

Theme 1: Regulatory burden & business operations
This theme block focuses on the question of how organisations can maintain privacy in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. We explore the potential tension between compliance and innovation and discuss how supervision and legislation could be better aligned with practice. We also discuss the most important changes that Europe has in store, including the Digital Omnibus in relation to both the right to privacy and day-to-day business operations.

2 p.m. – Tension between compliance and innovation? – Speaker to be announced.
2.20 p.m. – Interview with the Data Protection Authority (AP) – Monique Verdier (Vice-Chairperson).
2.35 p.m. – The Digital Omnibus and personal data – Gerrit-Jan Zwenne (Professor of privacy law, Pels Rijcken).
3 p.m. – Questions and discussion.

3:15 p.m. – Break

Theme 2: Social domain & citizens
The second theme block focuses on situations in which privacy protection and public protection intersect. Examples are used to illustrate how careful data sharing impacts people's lives. It also discusses how professionals are confronted with rules that sometimes cause friction in practice and what is needed to collaborate responsibly and effectively in complex cases.

3.30 p.m. – When privacy protection and public safety collide – Marianne van den Anker (Ombudswoman Rotterdam-Rijnmond).
3:50 p.m. – Data sharing in complex cases – Wilmar Hendriks (Control Privacy, Coordinating Data Protection Officer, Care and Safety House Rotterdam-Rijnmond).
4.10 p.m. – From regulatory pressure to freedom: plenary reflection with the audience.

4:25 p.m. – Presentation of the Dutch Privacy Awards 2026. The conference will conclude with the announcement and presentation of the Dutch Privacy Awards 2026 by the jury chairperson. Marlon Domingus (Data Protection Officer, Erasmus University Rotterdam).
5 p.m. – Networking drinks.
6 p.m. – End of meeting.

Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Nieuwspoort (The Hague).

Due to overwhelming interest, after an initial announcement in the newsletters of Privacy First and ECP, only a limited number of places were still available and registrations were Unfortunately, it has since closed. However, there is still a waiting list. Would you like to be assured of a place in good time from now on? Then sign up for our newsletter! 

Privacy First Foundation organises the Dutch Privacy Awards in association with ECP | Platform for the Information Society. Media partner is PONT Data & Privacy.

Privacy First is seeking new sponsors for the Dutch Privacy Awards. Would you like to become a sponsor of the Privacy Awards? Please contact us!