Ten Dutch municipalities fined for privacy violations in secret probes into Muslim community
Dutch authorities have penalized 10 local governments for illegally monitoring Muslim residents, collecting sensitive religious and political data
Netherlands (MNTV) – The Dutch Data Protection Authority has fined ten municipalities €25,000 each for conducting unauthorized surveillance of Muslim communities, processing prohibited personal information without residents’ knowledge, as reported by AP.
The towns—Delft, Ede, Eindhoven, Gooise Meren, Haarlemmermeer, Hilversum, Huizen, Tilburg, Veenendaal, and Zoetermeer—commissioned external agencies to compile dossiers on Islamic residents, gathering data on religious affiliations, political viewpoints, and family details that authorities had no legal basis to collect.
“People in Muslim communities were investigated without their knowledge,” said Aleid Wolfsen, chairman of Dutch Data Protection Authority.
“The privacy of individuals has been seriously violated. This has damaged trust in many municipalities.”
The surveillance initiative emerged from counterterrorism concerns following Syria’s civil war in 2011 and subsequent European attacks between 2015 and 2016.
National authorities and the NCTV anti-terrorism agency pressed local governments to monitor radicalization risks and prevent travel to conflict zones.
Reports varied in scope but universally documented subjects’ Islamic sect affiliations. Some files contained photographs, names, family information, and details about internal mosque dynamics, with comprehensive personal profiles compiled on numerous individuals. These dossiers were subsequently shared with law enforcement and national government entities.
Violation of privacy regulations
The watchdog emphasized that processing data about religious beliefs remains “almost always prohibited” under privacy regulations.
Authorities deemed municipalities insufficiently aware of their legal obligations and responsibilities.
All ten municipalities have accepted the penalties and acknowledged their approach was improper.
Officials indicated they have initiated efforts to repair relationships with affected Muslim communities.
Delft’s Mayor Alexander Pechtold issued a formal apology to the local Islamic community this week, including the Al-Ansaar Mosque, reversing his predecessor’s refusal to express regret.
“I am aware of the impact and pain this investigation has caused,” Pechtold stated, pledging to restore trust and collaboration with the mosque’s leadership and congregation.
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