There are no rules yet for Dutch municipalities to monitor citizens online. This was stated recently by Minister Yesilgöz of Justice and Security. The plan was that a handbook for monitoring social media by municipalities would appear late last year.
"The researchers have indicated that broadening the original scope of the manual is necessary so that it will better reflect the needs in municipal practice," Yesilgöz said. According to the minister, her ministry and that of the Interior are working intensively with the researchers and the VNG. "The cabinet will inform you further in the first quarter of 2023," she added.
Research by the University of Groningen and NHL Stenden Hogeschool found that Dutch municipalities are using fake accounts to monitor citizens on social media. Through Facebook, Twitter and other social media, municipalities are trying to track down disturbances to combat fraud. Nearly one in six municipalities surveyed works with fake accounts. However, only police and intelligence agencies are allowed to use this method. This is also subject to strict conditions.
