privacy

In posts on various local Facebook pages, the police called on Dutch consumers to delete the age-filter app FaceApp from their smartphones and other devices. According to the police, the app is not safe because it does not have to comply with European privacy legislation.

FaceApp allows users to upload a photo and a filter on it to show what they would look like if they were older or younger. The app has been around for some time, but has become extremely popular over the past weeks. 

At least five bars and clubs in Nijmegen film visitors on the toilet. In one disco the camera is positioned so that the genitals of peeing men can be seen, De Gelderlander reports after visiting 20 well-known nightlife venues in the city.

For years students with a part-time job at Amsterdam hospital OLVG had access to confidential and very personal patient files. This involved almost all patients who visited the hospital over the past 15 years, the Volkskrant reports. The hospital confirmed the leak to the newspaper.

The leak was discovered in August last year by a philosophy student who answered the phone and made appointments for the hospital's outpatient clinic. She informed the management of the hospital that she could see all of the patients' confidential medical information. 

The Attorney General of the Supreme Council wants to change the way DNA samples are taken from convicts. Currently the judiciary takes a DNA sample from everyone sentenced to four years or more in prison. According to the Attorney General, this puts privacy at stake. He suggests only taking DNA material from people convicted of serious violent or sexual offenses, NOS reports.

Since November there were two cases of the Dutch police removing photos or videos from their social media feeds after complaints about privacy violations, Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security said in response to parliamentary questions on the police's social media policy, NU.nl reports. 

Relatives of MH17 victims can view the final footage of their loved ones, recorded by security cameras at Schiphol Airport, from this week. How many relatives will actually do so, is not yet clear. Though according to the Ministry of Justice and Security, there is "certainly" interest to do so, RTL Nieuws reports.

The Netherlands systems for energy supply are becoming increasingly complex, which also make them more vulnerable to hackers, the Netherlands environmental assessment agency PBL said in a report on digitization on Thursday. This increases the risk of power outages, ANP reports.

Even without a cyber attack, even a small problem can have major consequences in the complicated systems, the PBL warned. The agency calls on the government to intervene. According to the PBL, major power outages can disrupt society.

The Enschede police posted a video on Facebook of a man under the influence of drugs having convulsions on the floor. "Luckily we were there on time", the police wrote. While the post received many positive responses, some criticized it as being disrespectful and tasteless, RTL Nieuws reports.

The post was intended as a warning that drugs can be dangerous. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance. 

"It's unnecessary and has a high level of sensation", one commenter criticized. "And that by the police, who should be protecting us."

From today Amsterdam police officers will be equipped with bodycams in a test run that will last two years. Every police officer in the so-called base teams will be allowed to wear a bodycam during his or her shift. The intention is to see if bodycams reduce the number of violent incidents, but many are concerned about the privacy implications, RTL Nieuws reports.

Previous bodycam studies showed that people who know they are being recorded, are less likely to use violence. This test in the Amsterdam police is intended to see whether this really is the case.

Nearly a third of Dutch doctor's offices do not use a safe connection for their patients' online registration or applications for repeat prescriptions, RTL Nieuws reports based on its own research among over 300 medical practices.

A total of 197 practices gives patients the option of online registration and requesting a repeat prescription over the internet. Of these 29.3 percent did not use a secure https connection when sending medical data. This means that this sensitive information was sent over the internet unprotected, making it relatively easy for third parties to access. 

Dutch consumers organization Consumentenbond issued a warning about the "My Friend Cayla" doll, following research by its Norwegian counterpart. According to the Norwegian organization, anyone with a smart phone can eavesdrop on children through the doll, or even talk to them. All that is needed is a bluetooth connection to the doll.