Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Scales of justice and gavel on law book
Scales of justice and gavel on law book - Source: Photo: tomloel/DepositPhotos at
Crime
Politics
SyRI
fraud
European Court of Human Rights
privacy
European Convention on Human Rights
Work and Income Implementation Organization Act
Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 - 14:20
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Government's anti-fraud system an invasion of citizens' privacy, court rules

The current legislation that regulates the government's anti-fraud program System Risk Indication (SyRI) must be scrapped, the court in The Hague ruled on Wednesday. The Work and Income Implementation Organization Act, which regulates the use of SyRI, is in violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is difficult to supervise and does not sufficiently respect citizens' privacy, the court ruled, NOS reports.

SyRI is used to prevent and combat social security fraud. That is in the interest of economic wellbeing, the judge said, because fraud affects solidarity and public support for the State. But, the judge added, here there is no "fair balance" between the social interest and the violation of privacy, as is required by the European Court of Human Rights. The legislation is insufficiently clear and verifiable. There is no transparency on how data is processed and analyzed. That can "unintentionally" lead to "discriminatory and/or stigmatizing effects", the judge said. 

The court said that the State should definitely exploit new technological options to prevent and combat fraud, but must find the right balance between the benefits of these technological advances and citizens' right to privacy. 

SyRI is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The lawsuit against it was filed by the lawyers' committee for human rights NJCM, the Platform for the Protection of Civil Rights, Privacy First, and foundation KDVP. 

This lawsuit prompted government party D66 to propose that the use of "far-reaching" algorithms and facial recognition technology within the government be regulated. And that until regulations are in place, these technologies - including SyRI - should not be used. 

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Lagging Dutch Covid vaccine figures suddenly revised up by 19%
  • De Jonge: No changes to Dutch vaccination schedule yet; Delays possible
  • Rutte announces new plan to take Netherlands out of lockdown in 5 steps
  • Ramadan begins for the second time in lockdown
  • More people want the lockdown relaxed; Cabinet reviewing terrace policy weekly
  • Netherlands ranks 22nd in Europe Covid vaccinations; Falls short of weekly target

Top Stories

  • Lagging Dutch Covid vaccine figures suddenly revised up by 19%
  • De Jonge: No changes to Dutch vaccination schedule yet; Delays possible
  • Rutte announces new plan to take Netherlands out of lockdown in 5 steps
  • Coronavirus 7-day average pushes back up past 7,350
  • Janssen Covid vaccine deliveries to Europe on hold over new blood clot study
  • RIVM: 9.6% test positive for coronavirus last week; Most since February

© 2012-2021 NLTimes.nl, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact