Inspectorate: around 70% of Asian tech in the Netherlands fails privacy standards
Millions of inexpensive smart devices from Asian webshops are "flooding" the Netherlands and Europe, reportedly raising cybersecurity and privacy concerns.
The Dutch Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI) warns that roughly 70 percent of the more than 1 billion packages Dutch consumers order annually from Asian platforms fail to meet technical or privacy standards.
The RDI oversees the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of both digital and analog devices, including Wi-Fi routers, smart home equipment, and measurement instruments.
RDI director of Devices John Derksen told De Telegraaf that there are limits in oversight. “Due to the flood of small shipments, individual inspection is impossible, and we can only check a few dozen types of devices for safety. For consumers, that means caution is required when using devices because danger lurks, and no agency can guarantee absolute security.”
Since August 1, 2025, the RDI has been able to remove unsafe products from the market immediately. Derksen noted an example: “An aroma diffuser caused such severe electromagnetic interference that even police radios were disrupted. All 27 EU member states simultaneously remove a product from stores once it appears in the European safety database Rapex. We must act together to tackle digital threats.”
Europe is pursuing structural solutions, including higher import duties on non-European webshop products, requiring Asian manufacturers to appoint European representatives, and pressuring platforms such as Temu and Alibaba to bulk-import products to European warehouses for centralized inspection. Dutch platforms such as bol.com already remove risky products from their listings.
The RDI advises consumers to buy from European sellers with authentic CE markings, immediately change default passwords, and install all software updates. Derksen concluded, “If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Cheap can truly be expensive.”
