On 11 July 2017, the Dutch Senate passed the new Intelligence and Security Services Act. With the Senate vote, a years-long political battle came to an end: the secret services were given dragnet surveillance powers. Citizens subsequently called for a referendum, which was held on March 21st, 2018. Over the past few weeks, while campaigning intensified, the polls showed a steady move towards a vote against the law.
Since 2015, the law has faced overwhelming opposition from experts, industry, political parties, civil society and citizens. The law proved particularly controversial on five points: the dragnet-surveillance power; real-time access to databases; third-party hacking; oversight; and the sharing of unevaluated data with foreign services.
The referendum in The Netherlands is a non-binding, advisory one. However, if substantial changes aren’t made to the law, Bits of Freedom will proceed to fight the law in court.