In the FSV, also known as the blacklist, the service collected all kinds of data about taxpayers who had committed fraud or were suspected of doing so by the tax authorities. Once on the list, it could get in big trouble.
Big problems
For example, victims of the allowance affair were not offered a payment arrangement because they were on the blacklist of the Tax Authorities. As a result, people fell into extremely deep debts with all the consequences that entailed. Allowances were also stopped right away if someone was put on the list.
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The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), the privacy watchdog that hands out the fine, notes that almost a quarter of a million people were on the list, and another 30,000 entrepreneurs.
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Illegal data processing
All kinds of personal data were processed in the system, which the tax authorities should not have used at all. Think of nationality, data about health and data about criminal history. In addition, much of the data was not accurate.
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To top it off, the sensitive personal data was also poorly secured, according to the AP. As a result, the tax authorities violated the law for no less than seven years, from 2013 to 2020.
long secret
The existence of the blacklist was jealously kept secret by the tax authorities for years. Its existence only came to light through revelations by RTL Nieuws and Trouw about the allowance affair.
An earlier investigation by the AP showed that people could get on the list at the slightest signals. Even an anonymous report from a jealous ex or an angry neighbor could be enough. “Innocent people have been duped by this,” AP leader Aleid Wolfsen said earlier.
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Tax office resigns
“The judgment of the Dutch Data Protection Authority with regard to FSV is hard and unmistakable and shows once again that fundamental improvements are necessary at the tax authorities,” said State Secretary Marnix van Rij.
“Citizens have a right to the government to handle their data with care. The decision confirms the need to reorganize data processing in the signaling process for supervision, so that legislation and regulations are complied with.”
“I share the opinion of the AP that FSV should never have been used in this way. I experience the fines imposed as a painful, but understandable conclusion given the seriousness of the findings. I will not oppose the fines and comply with them. “
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