Ten municipalities fined for privacy violations in secret probes into Muslim community
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) imposed fines of €25,000 each on 10 municipalities for privacy violations while they secretly investigated the Muslim community. They processed files containing sensitive information about Muslim residents that the municipalities were not allowed to have, and without informing the residents that they were being investigated. They also processed data about people’s religion and political views, which is “almost always prohibited,” and shared these investigations with the authorities and the national government, the AP reported on Thursday.
The municipalities involved are Delft, Ede, Eindhoven, Gooise Meren, Haarlemmermeer, Hilversum, Huizen, Tilburg, Veenendaal, and Zoetermeer.
“People in Muslim communities were investigated without their knowledge. There are reports containing sensitive data about their religious beliefs and other personal information about them and their families. The municipalities had no grounds to have this information,” AP chairman Aleid Wolfsen said. “The privacy of the individuals has been seriously violated. This has damaged trust in many municipalities.”
The investigations stemmed from concerns about radicalization and terrorism due to the war in Syria starting in 2011 and subsequent attacks in Europe in 2015 and 2016. The government and anti-terrorism agency NCTV urged local governments to tackle this issue and prevent people from traveling to Syria. These ten municipalities engaged an external research agency to gather information about Islamic communities.
The content of the reports varied by municipality, but all of them contained information about people’s faith, including which sect of Islam they adhere to. Some reports contained more detailed information, including photos, names, information about family members, or details about tensions within mosques. Extensive personal profiles of several individuals ended up in reports.
When determining the amount of the fines, the AP considered the severity of the violations, particularly because they involved sensitive data about people’s religious beliefs. According to the AP, the municipalities were insufficiently aware of their own role and responsibilities. According to the watchdog, the municipalities have indicated that they would accept the fine.
“The municipalities’ approach has been detrimental to the relationship with the people affected,” Wolfsen said. “Municipalities now acknowledged that their approach was wrong. They have already taken steps to restore relations with Muslim communities.”
On Tuesday, the municipality of Delft apologized to the local Islamic community, including the Al-Ansaar Mosque, for the secret investigation, months after the previous mayor refused to do so. “I am aware of the impact and pain this investigation has caused. On behalf of the municipality of Delft, I would like to express my sincere regret for this,” Mayor Alexander Pechtold wrote in a statement on the municipality’s website. “Together with the board and visitors of the Al-Ansaar Mosque, I will do everything in my power to further restore mutual trust and resume cooperation.”
