Annual Report 1998 

Summary

The annual report 1998 of the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Registratiekamer) has been presented to the minister of Justice (mr. A.H. Korthals) on the 16th of June. The main themes in the report (privacy and service provision in the financial sector, market forces and social security, and confidential communication) were explained by the chairman of the Registratiekamer, mr. P.J. Hustinx. In relation to these main themes, he stressed the need for a rapid implementation of the new law on privacy protection (the Wbp) in The Netherlands.

1 Privacy and service provision in the financial sector
The financial services of banks, insurers and similar institutions not only involve money, but data also. A large amount of data: on clients, their expenditure, possibilities and wishes, on future clients and undesirable risks. Clients of financial service providers must be able to rely on the soundness of the service, and on the care with which their information is managed. This trust is an important basis for careful data management in the financial sector, but it is also a vulnerable one. Upscaling, privatisation and the emergence of new services and electronic media threaten the relationship many have with 'their' bank. Increasingly often data is exchanged between institutions and the use of electronic passes demands optimal safety. These developments make new demands on the integrity of financial service provision.

2 Market forces and social security
The political pressure on the social security infrastructure to yield to market forces was first noted a number of years ago. "The reassessment of responsibilities" was the creed of the first 'purple coalition' cabinet. Pressure was increased considerably in 1998. To an increasing degree employers are being held financially responsible for sick employees. The public implementing bodies have lost their monopoly position. Private insurance companies are becoming more closely involved in social security and personal data is increasingly seen as 'business capital'. The question is how the protection of personal data can be given shape in this new context.

3 Confidential communication
The liberalisation of the telecommunication market appears to have reached full speed after a hesitant start. The number of companies, networks and services is rapidly increasing. The choice the user has, such as e-mail and mobile telephones, is also expanding. However, the massive growth in means of communication is out of step with the possibilities for secure confidential communication with others. E-mail is easy to copy for example. So technical solutions are urgently required to protect communications. And does the protection which article 13 of the Dutch Constitution affords the content of communications not also apply to data on those communications