The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has imposed fines totaling €250,000 ($295,000) on ten municipalities for violating privacy laws. The penalties follow revelations that local authorities conducted secret studies on Muslim communities without residents’ knowledge, broadcaster NOS reported Thursday.
These covert investigations first came to light in 2021, raising concerns over the handling of personal religious data. The research was reportedly motivated by fears of radicalisation linked to the rise of Daesh and ongoing conflicts in Syria.
At the request of the Dutch government and the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), municipalities commissioned external agencies to gather information about Muslim communities. The investigations included data on mosque structures, key figures, and in some cases, detailed profiles of individuals’ religious practices, family details, and internal mosque affairs.
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Some of the collected information was reportedly shared with the police, the NCTV, and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
“The municipalities had no legal basis to collect this data. The privacy of affected residents has been seriously violated, damaging trust in local authorities,” said AP Chair Aleid Wolfsen.
The municipalities fined include Delft, Ede, Eindhoven, Haarlemmermeer, Hilversum, Huizen, Gooise Meren, Tilburg, Veenendaal, and Zoetermeer. The AP emphasized the severity of the breaches due to the sensitive religious nature of the data and the authorities’ failure to adhere to legal obligations.
All municipalities have agreed to pay the fines. The city of Delft issued a public apology on Tuesday to local Muslim groups, including the Al-Ansaar Mosque, acknowledging the breach of trust caused by the covert research.
