Dutch Intelligence Services Continue Information Sharing with US Amid Growing Concerns
Despite increasing worries over data protection and democratic principles, the AIVD and MIVD maintain collaboration with US intelligence agencies.
The Dutch intelligence services, AIVD and MIVD, are continuing to share information about Dutch citizens with their US counterparts despite rising concerns regarding the treatment of democratic rights and data protection under the Trump administration.
A report indicates that both agencies have shown caution in reassessing this intelligence relationship, as highlighted by anonymous sources within the institutions.
"Sometimes the stakes are so high that cooperation is indispensable," one source noted.
Several former high-ranking officials from both agencies have called for a scaling back of this collaboration, citing recent incidents in Washington that have raised alarms, including the sharing of classified military information via the Signal messaging app with a journalist.
Further concerns have arisen regarding the US's warming relations with Russia and its critical stance towards Ukraine, which led to a temporary halt in intelligence sharing with Kyiv last month.
Rob Bertholee, who served as AIVD's director-general from 2011 to 2018, suggested that the exchange of intelligence should be conditional moving forward, indicating that perceptions of their cooperation must be reevaluated in light of recent developments in Washington.
The swiftly changing political landscape, he noted, has not improved matters.
Former MIVD director Pieter Bindt stated that recent events are concerning and "have little to do with the democratic rule of law," emphasizing the necessity of actively reconsidering the intelligence partnership.
Since 2015, the AIVD and MIVD have assessed their collaboration with foreign services using evaluation notes, which gauge partner agencies on their integration within the democratic rule of law, professionalism, reliability, and data protection standards.
In their final evaluations, the AIVD and MIVD determine whether stricter conditions for cooperation are necessary.
Austria, for example, was previously deemed a high-risk country due to deep infiltration by the Russian FSB into its security services.
The agencies have not disclosed how US agencies, such as the CIA and NSA, are currently being evaluated.
In a joint response, they affirmed the US as a vital ally, stating, "In general, we consider all relevant circumstances in our operations.
If developments in a country necessitate a review of our operational procedures, we will address that."
Since Trump's inauguration, the Dutch services reportedly have not produced any new evaluation notes regarding their cooperation with the US. Transcripts suggest that the US had previously been categorized as a high-risk nation, although it remains unclear when this classification was established.
The agencies have refrained from elaborating on their intelligence standing, stating, "We are cautious about making statements concerning our intelligence posture and the specifics of our collaboration and data sharing with other services."
Recent high-profile incidents have placed additional scrutiny on intelligence-sharing practices.
In 2013, whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed extensive documents related to the NSA's surveillance activities.
More recently, in 2021, National Guardsman Jack Teixeira leaked hundreds of classified military documents online.
During Trump’s administration, situations also arose where classified information regarding ISIS was disclosed to Russia, causing significant backlash from Israel, the original source of the intelligence.
The oversight committee for Dutch intelligence, the CTIVD, engages in ongoing discussions with the services about international changes and evaluation notes, according to secretary-director Kristel Koese.
She acknowledged that cooperating with foreign services is regarded as "necessary," even if such relationships entail significant risks according to their evaluations.
Nonetheless, she underscored that a point may come when continuing such partnerships could cross a "red line."
A former head of legal affairs at the AIVD cautioned against the sharing of unfiltered datasets containing personal information of Dutch citizens, particularly regarding intercepted telecommunication or internet traffic that might involve data being sent to the US. Recent weeks have seen several incidents involving travelers being detained at US airports, sometimes due to social media posts.
The issue is also under discussion in the so-called ‘Committee Stiekem,’ which includes the leaders of the five largest political parties in the Dutch House of Representatives.
A source close to the committee indicated that there is "movement" in the relationship with the Americans, and committee members are pressing the services for clarity.
Yet, the persistent dilemma remains that withholding information can result in receiving less intelligence, which could adversely affect critical information regarding Ukraine.
A government official underscored that the Netherlands cannot afford to take a more restrained stance towards the US for this reason.
A report indicates that both agencies have shown caution in reassessing this intelligence relationship, as highlighted by anonymous sources within the institutions.
"Sometimes the stakes are so high that cooperation is indispensable," one source noted.
Several former high-ranking officials from both agencies have called for a scaling back of this collaboration, citing recent incidents in Washington that have raised alarms, including the sharing of classified military information via the Signal messaging app with a journalist.
Further concerns have arisen regarding the US's warming relations with Russia and its critical stance towards Ukraine, which led to a temporary halt in intelligence sharing with Kyiv last month.
Rob Bertholee, who served as AIVD's director-general from 2011 to 2018, suggested that the exchange of intelligence should be conditional moving forward, indicating that perceptions of their cooperation must be reevaluated in light of recent developments in Washington.
The swiftly changing political landscape, he noted, has not improved matters.
Former MIVD director Pieter Bindt stated that recent events are concerning and "have little to do with the democratic rule of law," emphasizing the necessity of actively reconsidering the intelligence partnership.
Since 2015, the AIVD and MIVD have assessed their collaboration with foreign services using evaluation notes, which gauge partner agencies on their integration within the democratic rule of law, professionalism, reliability, and data protection standards.
In their final evaluations, the AIVD and MIVD determine whether stricter conditions for cooperation are necessary.
Austria, for example, was previously deemed a high-risk country due to deep infiltration by the Russian FSB into its security services.
The agencies have not disclosed how US agencies, such as the CIA and NSA, are currently being evaluated.
In a joint response, they affirmed the US as a vital ally, stating, "In general, we consider all relevant circumstances in our operations.
If developments in a country necessitate a review of our operational procedures, we will address that."
Since Trump's inauguration, the Dutch services reportedly have not produced any new evaluation notes regarding their cooperation with the US. Transcripts suggest that the US had previously been categorized as a high-risk nation, although it remains unclear when this classification was established.
The agencies have refrained from elaborating on their intelligence standing, stating, "We are cautious about making statements concerning our intelligence posture and the specifics of our collaboration and data sharing with other services."
Recent high-profile incidents have placed additional scrutiny on intelligence-sharing practices.
In 2013, whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed extensive documents related to the NSA's surveillance activities.
More recently, in 2021, National Guardsman Jack Teixeira leaked hundreds of classified military documents online.
During Trump’s administration, situations also arose where classified information regarding ISIS was disclosed to Russia, causing significant backlash from Israel, the original source of the intelligence.
The oversight committee for Dutch intelligence, the CTIVD, engages in ongoing discussions with the services about international changes and evaluation notes, according to secretary-director Kristel Koese.
She acknowledged that cooperating with foreign services is regarded as "necessary," even if such relationships entail significant risks according to their evaluations.
Nonetheless, she underscored that a point may come when continuing such partnerships could cross a "red line."
A former head of legal affairs at the AIVD cautioned against the sharing of unfiltered datasets containing personal information of Dutch citizens, particularly regarding intercepted telecommunication or internet traffic that might involve data being sent to the US. Recent weeks have seen several incidents involving travelers being detained at US airports, sometimes due to social media posts.
The issue is also under discussion in the so-called ‘Committee Stiekem,’ which includes the leaders of the five largest political parties in the Dutch House of Representatives.
A source close to the committee indicated that there is "movement" in the relationship with the Americans, and committee members are pressing the services for clarity.
Yet, the persistent dilemma remains that withholding information can result in receiving less intelligence, which could adversely affect critical information regarding Ukraine.
A government official underscored that the Netherlands cannot afford to take a more restrained stance towards the US for this reason.
