On Friday, the Dutch government announced the possibility of discontinuing its use of Facebook following a caution from the Netherlands’ privacy regulator regarding the privacy risks associated with the social media platform owned by Meta.
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) has recommended that the Dutch Interior Ministry refrain from using Facebook pages to communicate with citizens unless it fully understands how Facebook handles the personal data of page visitors.
Previously, the Interior Ministry sought guidance from the DPA on whether government use of Facebook pages would comply with regulations.
The government is urging Meta to provide clarity on their approach to addressing these concerns “as soon as possible, but no later than before the summer recess,” stated Alexandra van Huffelen, the Dutch Minister for Digitalization.
Van Huffelen added that failing to address these concerns could lead to the cessation of government activities on Facebook pages, in accordance with the DPA’s advice.
Aleid Wolfsen, chairman of the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA), emphasized the critical trust people place in the safety of their personal data when visiting government pages. He underscored the heightened importance of safeguarding sensitive information, especially concerning children and young individuals who are particularly vulnerable online.
In response, a spokesperson from Meta expressed disagreement with the DPA’s assessment, asserting that their products comply with relevant laws and regulations. They reiterated Meta’s commitment to ensuring compliance and facilitating communication between governments and their constituents.
Matthew Holman, a tech, privacy, and AI partner at Cripps, noted the widening gap in trust between European regulators and Meta. He suggested that the Dutch regulator’s concern likely stems from potential data sharing on Meta’s platform with government entities and the possibility of security risks or access by US federal agencies.
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