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Privacy

This page is designed to inform you on how Dutch ministries deal with personal data they receive via their websites.

Personal details include information that can be traced to a single person, for example a name, home address, or an e-mail address. The protection of these details is regulated in the Personal Data Protection Act. This law helps to protect the privacy of private individuals, and also applies to personal details acquired via the internet.

Under this law, personal details can be processed only if a clear statement warning the user about this. The purpose for which the data is being stored has to be clear. This means that if you are asked to fill in your name, address, or e-mail address, you should be told exactly what your details will be used for. Your personal details can only be used for the purpose you were told they would be used for. Also they must not be stored longer than is necessary for that purpose.

The law allows certain exceptions to this rule. Personal data may be used in a criminal investigation, e.g., if someone has committed a criminal offence or has made criminal statements via a website.

If ministries publish information profiles on their websites, a statement to that effect will be given beforehand. The profiles are exclusively for the purpose of improving the website to meet the needs of the user.