Dutch University Shares Student Activist Names with Police Before Protests
Delft, Friday, 20 February 2026.
TU Delft provided police with names of five student protesters before planned demonstrations, sparking a privacy investigation by the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The university justified sharing personal data as necessary for risk assessment, but the authority questions whether less intrusive methods could have been used. Other Dutch universities, including Erasmus and Wageningen, explicitly stated they do not proactively share demonstrator names with police.
Data Protection Authority Launches Investigation
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has initiated an investigation into TU Delft’s data sharing practices after university publication Delta discovered on February 11, 2026, that the institution had shared the names of five activists with police [1]. The revelation came to light through documents obtained via a freedom of information request, exposing a systematic arrangement between the technical university and law enforcement that extends back to 2015 [4]. A spokesperson for the Data Protection Authority emphasized that sharing personal data requires proper legal justification, stating that ‘an agreement alone is not enough’ [1][2]. The authority is now seeking clarification from both TU Delft and the police regarding how this data sharing arrangement operates and whether it complies with privacy protection laws.
University’s Justification Faces Scrutiny
TU Delft defended its actions by claiming the data sharing was necessary for adequate risk assessment and occurred ‘on the basis of a request from the police’ [1]. The university maintains that it operates under a covenant with police that has been in place since 2015, allowing for collaborative security measures [4]. However, the Data Protection Authority has challenged this reasoning, arguing that such serious infringement on fundamental rights is only justified ‘if a less intrusive method is not possible’ [1][2]. The case centers on events from early 2024, when climate action group End Fossil announced plans to occupy the TU Delft campus to protest fossil fuel companies recruiting students at a career fair [1]. Despite ongoing dialogue between the activists and university about ensuring peaceful demonstrations, TU Delft’s security department shared the names of five End Fossil members with police five days before the planned protest [5].
Political Response and Municipal Involvement
The controversy has drawn attention from Delft’s municipal government, with PvdA and GroenLinks factions in the city council demanding explanations from Mayor Alexander Pechtold [4]. Council member Leon Hombergen noted that ‘the mayor is responsible for public order and works together with the police,’ highlighting the municipal dimension of university security arrangements [4]. The political parties are seeking clarity on the position of TU Delft’s new board of directors, the applicable Data Protection Authority regulations, and the mayor’s role in overseeing such data sharing agreements [4]. Amnesty International has criticized the practice, describing information about ‘who demonstrates for what’ as sensitive personal data that ‘does not belong in databases’ [4][5].
Contrasting Approaches Across Dutch Universities
Other major Dutch universities have explicitly distanced themselves from TU Delft’s approach to handling demonstrator information. Erasmus University Rotterdam confirmed it does not register or share names of demonstrators with police, including during recent pro-Palestinian protests and the OccupyEUR occupation [1]. Similarly, Wageningen University & Research stated it does not proactively share names with police, with a spokesperson explaining they have ‘no covenant with the police’ and do not keep law enforcement ‘under a speed dial’ [3]. Fontys University of Applied Sciences also confirmed it does not share demonstrator names with police unless legally compelled to do so through an official request from the Public Prosecutor [1][5]. These institutions only share information with police in specific circumstances, such as when filing criminal complaints for campus rule violations or when responding to legal demands for evidence in criminal investigations [3][5].