Privacy First viewed with interest the new coalition agreement read. On the one hand, Privacy First is pleased to note the focus on privacy and the adoption of privacy-enhancing measures. On the other hand, unfortunately, there are also many measures that restrict privacy or affect privacy. We have listed these below. Privacy First will actively monitor further developments in this regard and try to influence them positively.

1. Privacy-enhancing measures

Safety

• Standards for Internet-of-Things devices.

• Encouraging companies to create safer software through software liability.

• Cyber hygiene education campaigns.

Trial, penalties and measures

• Commitment to protecting citizens' privacy among themselves (horizontal privacy).

  • Distributing revenge porn is criminalised as an independent offence.

Renewing public administration and ICT services

• To promote privacy, self-direction of personal data is increased. Users of public services will be allowed to self-designate relevant bodies and organisations to which a limited number of personal data can be provided automatically.

  • Those who are currently registered can opt out.

  • New registrations are subject to the new rules.

Emancipation and LGBT

• Unnecessary gender registration will be reduced where possible.

 

2. Privacy protection measures

Safety

• Purchase of hacking software by investigative agencies.

• Repressive measures in counter-terrorism.

• DNA testing on suspicion of terrorist crime.

Renewing public administration and ICT services

• The Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) is being modernised and will include citizens' e-mail addresses.

  • Citizens' data in basic records and other privacy-sensitive information is always stored encrypted.

  • DigiD will be made more secure.

Labour: Enforcement and international agreements as preconditions for a working system.

• Misuse of social services undermines support for solidarity. The government believes it is important that implementers, including municipalities, make effective use of the possibilities of sharing, linking and analysing data, obviously in compliance with the applicable legal rules and safeguards. This can also help benefit recipients comply with rules and avoid mistakes. 

Passenger transport

• Infrastructure design, construction and maintenance take into account self-driving vehicles and necessary systems in or along the road. Government information on traffic is made available for vehicles, apps and journey planners via open data as much as possible. To ensure everyone's privacy, ground rules are laid down on the ownership and use of travel data.

 

3. Measures that (may) affect privacy

Safety

• 'Promise' that under the new Wiv there will be no random and massive collection of citizens' data. 

  • Strict adherence to additional safeguards in the law.

  • Evaluation will be carried out early, after two years of implementation.

  • Include any additional safeguards in the law and strengthen monitoring.

Trial, penalties and measures

• Bill Modifying telecommunications data retention is reconsidered.

  • Cabinet explores to what extent European law allows for a measured retention obligation for certain telecommunications data, in particular for data aimed at identifying the user of a communication service.

  • Attention to safeguards for citizens' privacy, restricted access, heightened oversight, necessity of retention periods, adequate data protection and security, and a reporting and review obligation.

  • All new legislation regulating data retention for the purpose of detecting serious crimes will be provided with appropriate safeguards.

  • Evaluation after five years -> effectiveness and impact of legislation.

A strong teacher

• The teachers' register.

Good care for the elderly

• To make optimal use of the scarce capacity of care personnel for care and attention for clients and patients, it is desirable to deploy digitally assisted care in a targeted way and to promote the dissemination of innovative practices (e-health), both at home and in the nursing home. This government period, 40 million euros are available for this purpose, 5 million per year thereafter. 

Space for entrepreneurs

• Opportunities for regional and sectoral pilot projects, legal experimentation space, test sites (e.g. for drones) and rule-free zones are increased. This is subject to minimum requirements and appropriate supervision. 

Credit and banking sector

• Financial technology innovations (Fintech) contribute to innovation and competition in the financial sector. Entry of these innovative companies will be facilitated by introducing banking and other licensing in a lighter form, while respecting sufficient customer protection. 

Aviation

• The growth in passenger numbers at Schiphol requires a more efficient border control process. Investments are therefore being made in the capacity of the Royal Military Police and further digitalisation of passport checks.