Terrorism Coordinator NCTV to Resume Internet Monitoring

By Netvora Tech News

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The Netherlands' National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism and Security (NCTV) has announced that it will resume monitoring the internet, including processing personal data, effective today. This move comes after the NCTV had ceased internet monitoring in July 2021 due to a lack of a legal basis for processing personal data.

Lack of Legal Basis Led to Halt in Monitoring

Prior to July 2021, the NCTV had been monitoring the internet without a valid legal basis. However, in 2021, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) ruled that a previous decision by the Ministry of Justice and Security lacked the necessary legal foundation for processing personal data. This led to a halt in the NCTV's internet monitoring activities.

New Legislation Provides Legal Basis

The new Wet coördinatie terrorismebestrijding en nationale veiligheid (Wcotnv) law, which came into effect today, provides a legal basis for the NCTV to resume internet monitoring and processing personal data. The law allows the NCTV to collect and analyze data, including personal information such as names, addresses, and religious beliefs, in order to identify trends and patterns relevant to national security.

NCTV to Focus on Coordinating Efforts

According to former Minister of Justice and Security Yesilgöz, the NCTV will focus on its core task of coordinating efforts, rather than attempting to analyze data independently. The NCTV will collect and analyze data from public sources, including online platforms, to identify trends and patterns relevant to national security.

Processing of Personal Data Necessary for Coordinating Efforts

To carry out its coordinating efforts, the NCTV may need to process (special) personal data, including information about individuals' religious beliefs, political affiliations, or other sensitive information. The NCTV will only process personal data to the extent necessary to support its coordinating efforts.

Resumption of Internet Monitoring

Once the new law comes into effect, the NCTV will resume its internet monitoring activities, including processing personal data. The goal of this monitoring is to identify trends and patterns relevant to national security, and to ensure that the national security policy and its implementation are aligned.

• The NCTV will collect and analyze data from public sources, including online platforms, to identify trends and patterns relevant to national security.
• The NCTV will focus on its core task of coordinating efforts, rather than attempting to analyze data independently.
• The NCTV may need to process (special) personal data, including information about individuals' religious beliefs, political affiliations, or other sensitive information.