Policy Observatory

Dragnet surveillance in the Netherlands is a fact. Last night a new bill for the secret services was passed that allows for the systematic and large-scale interception of citizens’ communication.

On Tuesday February 14, 2017 the bill for the new Intelligence and Security Services Act was passed by the Dutch lower house. Despite being met with serious opposition from experts, regulators, civil society, political parties and citizens, the revised bill passed virtually unchanged from the proposal submitted to the lower house.

On several points the revised bill is an important improvement on the current law, and on the proposal that was put up for public consultation in 2015. For instance, many of the agency’s powers now will require a sign-off from the Minister of the Interior and a review committee. We’re also pleased to see the construction of a framework for online research conducted by the agencies.