Privacy under pressure from new defense bill

Defense argues that current laws and regulations hinder the necessary growth and readiness of the armed forces. Military personnel cannot now train sufficiently in realistic scenarios or with the necessary equipment. The Wodg should change this by simplifying or speeding up complex procedures so that exercises and equipment movements can take place more quickly. The preliminary bill was recently released for Internet consultation.

The law is intended to strengthen the readiness of the armed forces in the so-called "gray zone" between peace and war. This area requires the Defense Department to rapidly expand capabilities, conduct realistic exercises and use equipment more efficiently. Thanks to the Wodg, for example, practice drills with drones could take place over military sites, while the sensors might register off-site - a situation now mostly avoided because of privacy rules. Military personnel could also practice with various weapons on existing firing ranges, use night vision equipment and construct trenches, bringing training closer to realistic conflicts.

Critics point out that this increases the tension between national security and individual rights. The broad powers allow the minister to temporarily deviate from privacy rules without parliament or citizens having prior say. Proponents stress that this would be necessary to make Defense quickly deployable, while opponents fear that citizens' privacy would come under structural pressure if the law goes into effect.

After the Internet consultation, the responses will be incorporated into the final draft bill, which will then be submitted to the Raad van State for its opinion, followed by parliamentary consideration. The NRC article thus illustrates how the Wodg is already putting pressure on the balance between security and privacy in the public debate, even before the law is actually in force.