Dutch to amend online spy law after referendum snub

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The Hague, April 6: The Dutch government Friday announced changes to a contentious new law to boost the online spying powers of its security services, after it was narrowly rejected in a referendum.

More than six million Dutch citizens out of some 13 million eligible voters cast ballots in last month’s national referendum on the controversial legislation, set to come into effect on May 1.

But after a 51.5 percent turnout — enough to validate the referendum’s results — 49.4 percent opposed the law, while 46.5 percent were in favour.

“We have agreed to make amendments to the law in a way that does as much justice as possible to the ‘ no’ vote, but also works for our security services,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

“We couldn’t ignore the outcome of the referendum, but at the same time we could also not ignore... the new information law, because it’s important for our safety,” he told journalists at his weekly post- cabinet meeting

Changes included making sure any online tapping is more targeted and that any breach of third party rights is carefully weighed.

The referendum, triggered by a group of Amsterdam students as a citizens initiative, was held on March 21 alongside municipal elections across 380 Dutch local councils.

The students were angered by what they saw as a bid by authorities to grab over- arching powers.

But proponents say the measures will give security services greater ability to monitor dangerous groups such as jihadist organisations. press conference.