Netherlands to expand intelligence services' powers

The Dutch cabinet has approved a legislative proposal to significantly expand the powers of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD). The government argues these changes are necessary to counter increasing threats from nations and organizations such as Russia, China, and Iran.

Under the proposed National Security Protection Act, the intelligence services will be able to act more rapidly against identified adversaries. Key changes include the ability to conduct hacking operations and surveillance without seeking individual prior authorization for every specific request when an adversary has been clearly designated. This reduction in prior oversight is intended to match the speed of modern cyberattacks, particularly those originating from China.

While Minister of Defense Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius stated the law would make the services ‘sharper’, the proposal has drawn criticism from experts. Critics express concern that reducing prior judicial or administrative oversight could erode essential checks and balances. Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Pieter Heerma emphasized that the law includes safeguards to prevent arbitrary use and protect against the misuse of technologies like artificial intelligence.