Dutch Bill Would Expand Intelligence Powers to Target Evident Opponents Like Russian Hackers and Chinese Spies

Citizens and other stakeholders can now respond to the draft legislation via internetconsultatie.nl. Many of the expected questions are likely to concern the privacy of Dutch citizens. Defense Minister Yesilgöz, who is responsible for the military intelligence service MIVD, said privacy protections remain guaranteed.

"The services get more powers to respond faster and more targeted to evident opponents. But the supervisor keeps checking, Yesilgöz said in an explanation of the law. The services would no longer need prior permission to digitally follow an individual hacker." Then he has already flown away, Yesilgöz said. If the Russian secret service is designated as an evident opponent, the MIVD and AIVD can target all hackers likely operating for that service.