Sleepwet referendum- will there be a potential new ‘tapping’ law?
Not only is almost everyone voting in a municipality election today, but also for a new intelligence law for the MIVD and AIVD. Unfortunately, this is only open to the Dutch, and not regular international citizens with permits. So what’s it all about?
What is the new law?
People are voting on whether MIVD and AIDV (intelligence and security services) should have more power. This means that the intelligence services can store DNA samples for ongoing investigations and they if they are to be able to hack associates (even innocent people) of suspects, not just the suspect themselves. They can also tap phones and computers and hack other technology on a much larger scale.
Willing and ready to hack
Why is this a big deal?
Well, of course this means that security will arguably be better. However, personally speaking (and a lot of Dutchies as well), it gives them more power to delve into our personal lives. Nothing to hide, you say? That doesn’t stop this data getting into the wrong hands or being used unnecessarily. It’s a pretty big deal because this law means business and it’s a big change. There’s a lot of Human Rights issues here and this law certainly isn’t going to be without its lawsuits for this reason.
How and when will it be implemented?
Regardless of the outcome of the vote, if only 30% of people vote in the election, then it will not be deemed valid enough to even consider looking at the results. (This also counts if someone spoils their vote – as it’s still considered a ‘vote.’) I highly doubt it will get to this point, as people will already be at the polling stations to vote anyway! So it will be pretty bizarre if that was to happen.
If people vote for the law? Then the law will be in place for 1st May 2018.
If people voted against the law? Then the government has to go back to the drawing board and wonder why they got this outcome (I’m not saying anything). Then of course, the law will not be implemented.
Oh wait, that’s not the case since CDA’s Buma already stated they’re going to ignore a vote for ‘No’ and are going to implement it as law anyways. How nice of them to say!
