Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Politics
Innovation
Ministry of Home Affairs
Ronald Plasterk
government websites
secure connection
HTTPS
Law Generic Digital Infrastructure
Thursday, 19 January 2017 - 11:00
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Interior Min. changes his tune: orders govt. sites to use secure connections

Minister Ronald Plasterk of Home Affairs decided to obligate government websites to use secure HTTPS connections after all, he said in Parliament on Wednesday, NU.nl reports.

Plasterk faced a number of parliamentary questions on this matter after research showed that many of the government websites do not used the HTTPS standard, which encrypts the data traffic between the user and the website. This means that it is easy for third parties to intercept information.

In a previous response to parliamentary questions, Plasterk said that he found the security on government websites sufficient. He pointed out that it was agreed that all government sites will use a secure connection when personal or other sensitive data is processed by the end of this year.

Experts pointed out however, that it is always better to use HTTPS connections, even when no personal information is transmitted. It makes it nearly impossible for third parties to intercept data traffic or sabotage the connection. The Minister therefore changed his mind.

The Minister will obligate all government sites to use secure HTTPS connections after the implementation of the Law Generic Digital Infrastructure, which is still in consultation. If the law is adopted, the Ministry of Home Affairs can add a general administrative measure that makes using secure connections on government sites mandatory.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs told NU.nl that they expect the law to be sent to parliament in the second half of this year.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Schiphol brings all passengers inside amid rising temps; Firefighters at the ready
  • No, camel poop does not help cure diarrhea, scientists say
  • Community service for dumping waste on highway in farmers' protest
  • Privacy watchdog wants to make doxing more difficult by modifying gov't information act
  • Entrepreneurs: Keep Covid access passes as a last resort if situation deteriorates
  • Cabinet wants to block family reunification when homes are unavailable

Top stories

  • Code Yellow in Netherlands as thermometers top 30 degrees Celsius
  • Renting out rooms simplified in Eindhoven to help students
  • Hundreds protest against anti-LGBTQIA+ violence in Amsterdam
  • Robbers target Ajax captain Dusan Tadic outside of his Amsterdam home
  • Supermarket prices up 18.5% in less than a year
  • Temps to 31 degrees today; Netherlands residents underestimate heat, says Red Cross

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content