Dutch Organizations Urge Government to Cease Social Media Use Over Privacy Concerns
Netherlands, Saturday, 11 January 2025.
Dutch internet groups call for government to stop using social media, citing threats to democracy and privacy. Despite the appeal, officials stress the necessity of these platforms for communication.
Growing Concerns Over Big Tech Influence
WAAG Futurelab and digital rights watchdog Bits of Freedom, along with three other internet organizations, have issued an urgent appeal to the Dutch government, demanding the cessation of social media platform usage [1]. The organizations argue that these platforms pose significant risks to constitutional democracy and civil liberties, pointing to recent policy changes by major tech companies [1]. This development comes at a time when social media platforms’ role in governance and public communication is under increased scrutiny.
Political Response and Platform Exodus
The appeal has gained significant traction, with 1118 signatures supporting the initiative [1]. In a related development, the political party Volt has announced its departure from platform X, scheduled for January 15, 2025 [4]. Party leader Laurens Dassen has specifically criticized platform owner Elon Musk, describing X as a ‘toxic, geopolitical weapon’ [4]. However, not all political entities share this stance, as GroenLinks-PvDA, led by Frans Timmermans, has confirmed their intention to maintain their presence on X to continue reaching their audience [4].
Government’s Stance on Digital Communication
Despite mounting pressure, Prime Minister Dick Schoof has expressed reluctance to abandon social media platforms [1]. The government maintains that these platforms serve as crucial communication channels with citizens [1][4]. Schoof has emphasized that while they closely monitor content moderation developments, they expect social media companies to comply with European regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act [1]. This stance highlights the complex balance between maintaining public communication channels and addressing privacy concerns.