State Secretary: We must expressly reflect on privacy in new laws

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In the coming years, the Dutch government will focus more emphatically on privacy and cybersecurity. That is the purport of the latest priorities within the government-wide information provision strategy, which the government calls the I-strategy.

According to State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitization Van Huffelen, when making new laws and regulations, ministries and implementing organizations must ’emphatically reflect’ on information security and privacy. The Council of Ministers has agreed to this and is now concentrating mainly on three spearheads of the overarching I-strategy.

The main priority is according to Van Huffelen to identify ‘at an early stage the opportunities and risks of digitization and information provision’ when formulating new laws. In addition, in the coming years the government will focus more on modern applications such as ‘hybrid working, cloud applications, the increase in digital crime and geopolitical developments’. This would strengthen the digital resilience of the government, with a reduced risk of system failure or major data leaks.

The State Secretary also wants ‘young digital talent’ to be tempted to work for the government. Due to a tight labor market, attracting new employees and retaining experienced workers should now be a higher priority.

The ‘new’ spearheads are part of the Cabinet’s I-strategy, an overarching commitment to digitalisation, cyber security, privacy and new applications of technology. So they are not new promises or ways of thinking, but more a focused strategy for the government during the current term of office.

Van Huffelen states: “We must respond more and better to digital developments in society and the economy. By looking at laws and regulations earlier, more often and with more expertise, we want to improve services to citizens and companies and at the same time arm ourselves against risks. .” In an earlier interview with Tweakers, the D66 politician already elaborated extensively on the role of technology in contemporary society.

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