government plan central database personal data risky

ANP XTRA

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 11:48

Storing personal data in a central database poses a major risk to citizens, says the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP). The privacy watchdog is responding to the government’s plan to store data that people have to provide for a passport application in a national database.

This includes fingerprints, signatures and passport photos. At the moment, this data is still stored at municipalities.

A central database makes it easier for hackers to collect valuable data from almost all Dutch people in one go, the AP warns. For example, fingerprints and signatures can be used to commit identity fraud. Even in case of unintentional leaks, for example due to human error, the consequences are greater than when there is storage at the municipalities themselves.

Uncertainty about responsibility

The regulator says that in the current plan it is not clear who is responsible for the data. The AP is afraid that due to the unclear distribution, the various governments will blame each other if mistakes are made.

In addition, the privacy watchdog warns of the risk that the government may also use the data in the future for purposes other than issuing passports, such as providing data to the police to solve crimes.

The regulator advises the government to adjust or withdraw the plans, because the risks in the current bill are not properly taken into account.

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