Dutch Government: Number of Internet Taps Has Quintupled In One Year 49
vikingpower writes "A Dutch newspaper has a digital version of the letter Mr. Opstelten, Secretary of Justice and Security, sent to Dutch Parliament (PDF in Dutch), in which he quietly admits to 56,825 phone taps (a 3% rise in one year) and to 16,676 internet taps in 2012, a 400% rise, or a fivefold increase, in one year. An older report already exposed the Netherlands as one of the biggest wiretappers in the western world. Slate also knew, back in 2006, that Europeans actually love wiretapping and internet tapping. In the Netherlands, a country with a population of only 16 million, the practice has risen to the level of a staggering 1 in 1,000 phones being tapped."
Re:Geert wilders! (Score:4, Interesting)
Blame Geert Wilders!
Blame one far-right candidate for the actions of the entire government? I don't think so, the problem is systemic.
Re:Where is the Dutch equivalent of Snowden (Score:2, Interesting)
FYI, I think the original comment refers to statements made by two old Prime Ministers that commented in a National Geographic Documentary about the Dutch Airforce and the possession of nuclear weapons in the Airbase Vokkel.
Which, really is a public secret, since most people know about it anyway since the 80's and our F-16's have a (non-standard)nuclear strike panel in the cockpit. It is reasoned this is influencing the decision to buy the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Which is now possibly causing a revolt in parlement, and comments have been made concerning a parliamentary inquiry to the acquisition of this aircraft. Even if this wouldnt be true then buying this aircraft would still prove difficult to the coalition, given that one of the two ruling party's always has been fervently opposed to this type.
Going back to the wiretapping, it also has been common knowledge that its a unhealthy ammount in The Netherlands, but for some reason it has never upset people enough, which quite frankly I find scary and saddening. Sometimes I feel that we are already further ahead on the slippery slope then some other les reputable countries(whatever that still means).
captcha: acceptor, how fitting..