Dutch Parliament Demands Government Keep National Digital Identity System Out of American Hands

2026-02-12 data

The Hague, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
The Dutch Parliament overwhelmingly opposes the potential acquisition of Solvinity, which manages the critical DigiD digital identity system used by millions of Dutch citizens. Lawmakers fear the US Cloud Act could allow American authorities to access sensitive Dutch citizen data or disable essential government services if the system falls under US control through the proposed Kyndryl takeover.

Parliamentary Unity Against Digital Dependency

The February 11, 2026 parliamentary debate revealed rare cross-party consensus, with Forum voor Democratie member Freek Jansen noting “Het is een unieke situatie… We zijn het een keer allemaal met elkaar eens” [2]. The unified opposition stems from deep concerns about digital sovereignty, as SP member Sandra Beckerman described the potential acquisition as “Een digitale wurggreep” [2]. The debate, which lasted five hours, demonstrates the gravity lawmakers attach to maintaining control over critical digital infrastructure [7]. A motion led by Barbara Kathmann (GroenLinks-PvdA) has garnered broad support, prioritizing keeping DigiD’s servers, storage, and security systems in Dutch or European hands [4][6].

The US Cloud Act: A Digital Sovereignty Threat

The primary concern driving parliamentary opposition centers on the US Cloud Act, which could allow the American government to access data stored on European servers by American technology companies [2]. This legal framework presents a fundamental threat to Dutch digital sovereignty, as it would potentially grant foreign authorities access to sensitive Dutch citizen data. Minister Vincent Karremans acknowledged these geopolitical risks, stating “De geopolitieke ontwikkelingen leggen kwetsbaarheden in de digitale waardeketens bloot” [3]. The implications extend beyond data privacy to operational security, with BBB member Henk Vermeer warning that if he were a malicious power, he would target a country precisely through a service like DigiD, potentially causing “Belastinginkomsten komen stil te liggen en mensen kunnen niet meer bij hun pensioen” [3].

Critical Infrastructure at Risk

Solvinity’s role in Dutch digital infrastructure extends far beyond DigiD, encompassing MijnOverheid, the Ministry of Justice and Security, the Public Prosecution Service, and the municipality of Amsterdam [4]. The company serves as a critical node in the Netherlands’ digital government ecosystem, making the potential acquisition particularly concerning for national security. The acquisition is currently under investigation by multiple Dutch authorities, including the Bureau Toetsing Investeringen, Autoriteit Consument en Markt, Taskforce Economische Veiligheid, and Taskforce Continuïteit ICT Dienstverlening [4]. Public concern has manifested in an online petition opposing the Kyndryl acquisition, which has gathered 161,980 signatures [4].

Government Response and Long-term Solutions

State Secretary Eddie van Marum from the demissionary cabinet has adopted a cautious “stap voor stap” approach, awaiting investigation results before taking decisive action [2]. Van Marum emphasized that “Het kabinet hecht aan het uitgangspunt dat publiek eigenaarschap of het actief beïnvloeden van de eigendomsstructuur van bedrijven niet behoort tot de kerntaken van de overheid” [4], reflecting traditional market-oriented principles. However, the government acknowledges the need for structural solutions, with Van Marum indicating that a government cloud study is ongoing, with results expected in the first half of 2026 [6]. Minister Karremans has been more realistic about the challenges, stating that complete independence from American technology companies “is een illusie” and advocating for greater European integration to compete with American technological dominance [7]. The path forward involves balancing immediate security concerns with long-term digital autonomy strategies, as the next cabinet will need to develop a comprehensive vision for digital sovereignty while managing existing dependencies on foreign technology infrastructure.

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