“The time for awareness is over:” civil rights groups demand tougher privacy enforcement

Amnesty International and Bits of Freedom are asking the new chairman of the Dutch privacy and data protection authority to focus more on enforcement rather than on pointing fingers at institutions for their privacy violations.

On August 1st, 2026, Geert Potjewijd succeeded Aleid Wolfsen as chairman of the Dutch data protection authority (AP), who had held the role for over a decade.

“We are very pleased that Geert Potjewijd has agreed to take on this role. He has extensive knowledge of data protection, but his intrinsic motivation to strengthen human rights and protect democracy is even more important,” Monique Verdier, vice chairman of the DPA, said in a statement at the time.

Though Potjewijd started his position as chairman of the AP only a few days ago, Amnesty International and Bits of Freedom point out that he should focus on stricter oversight and more enforcement.

“This is sorely needed, now that the right to privacy and data protection is not being adequately upheld and is under pressure from European deregulation proposals,” the civil rights groups say in an open letter.

The advocacy groups are referring to the national police's use of facial recognition technology and unlawful data processing, without complying with privacy rules or anyone intervening. On top of that, the government continues to deploy profiling algorithms against its citizens, even though it has been proven time and again that it evokes discrimination and exclusion.

A citizen who tries to assert his or her rights is often powerless, the civil rights groups argue.

“Although citizens theoretically have rights that protect them against these practices, in practice, these rights are not adequately enforced. The AP plays a crucial role in overseeing the legal protection of citizens. The distressing examples show that the time for raising awareness is over.”

Amnesty International and Bits of Freedom conclude their open letter by wishing Potjewijd all the best in his new position and inviting him to a personal meeting to get acquainted and exchange thoughts.