Dutch lawmakers push for ‘red button’ to erase digital footprints
Dutch lawmakers Don Ceder (ChristenUnie) and Jesse Six Dijkstra (NSC) have introduced a proposal to make it easier for individuals to delete their personal data from the internet. Their plan, outlined in the initiative note Digital Children's Rights, includes an online "red button" that would allow people to erase their digital footprints with a single action, AD reports.
The measure, which was officially presented Tuesday morning, is primarily aimed at protecting young people. Under the proposal, the government would actively reach out to individuals when they turn 18, offering them free access to the deletion tool. Adults could also use the feature, but they may be required to pay a small fee for the service. “But not much,” Ceder assured.
Ceder and Six Dijkstra argue that the pervasive tracking and profiling of individuals online starts at a young age. “Nowadays, you can’t visit a website without being tracked,” Ceder said, referring to cookies—small data files that collect user information, including personal details and interests. “These data points accumulate. Before you turn 18, multiple digital profiles have already been created about you.”
Although websites require users to accept or decline cookies before browsing, the lawmakers argue that children often accept them without fully understanding the consequences. “Children don’t realize what they’re agreeing to,” Six Dijkstra said.
The lawmakers warn that these digital profiles can have lasting effects, potentially leading to systemic disadvantages. “Some things are just phases in your life, especially when you’re young,” Ceder said. “But if a profile is created about you early on, those phases can follow you for years. If you end up in a digital trap, it’s difficult to escape.”
Ceder and Six Dijkstra are basing their proposal on the legal principle of the ‘right to be forgotten,’ which guarantees individuals the ability to remove their personal data from online platforms. Digital companies are already required to comply with this right, and the lawmakers believe their proposed tool would simplify the process.
“These companies are supposed to do this already,” Ceder stated. “It seems only logical that they comply when the Tweede Kamer requests it.”
However, if major tech firms such as Google, X, Meta, or Tinder refuse to cooperate, Six Dijkstra noted that stronger enforcement measures could be considered. “We can look into ways to further remind them of their legal obligations.”
