Consumer groups and privacy watchdogs have criticised a government proposal to grant banks access to the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), the Dutch national personal records database. The cabinet argues the measure will help banks combat money laundering and terrorism financing more efficiently. However, the Privacy First foundation and the Consumentenbond warn that the plan poses a significant threat to citizen privacy.
Municipalities currently manage the BRP, which contains sensitive data on all residents. Privacy First described the proposed access as “disproportionate and unnecessary,” arguing it violates GDPR regulations. The foundation further claimed the measure would not actually improve the fight against financial crime or the enforcement of sanctions. Meanwhile, the Consumentenbond questioned the necessity of the link, urging the government to adopt more privacy-friendly verification methods instead.
Understanding the BRP Proposal
The proposal, which entered public consultation on 26 January 2026, represents a major shift in how banks verify customer identities. Currently, banks perform these checks manually, requiring customers to repeatedly provide physical or digital documents.
- Government Rationale: Direct BRP access would allow banks to verify data against a single government “source of truth.” This aims to reduce administrative burdens for both banks and citizens while meeting strict European anti-money laundering (AML) laws.
- Access Conditions: The cabinet has proposed strict limits. Access would be granted only to Dutch banks and strictly for legally mandated client research. Using BRP data for commercial purposes, such as marketing or credit scoring, would be strictly prohibited.
- Supervision: Rijksdienst voor Identiteitsgegevens (RvIG) would manage requests, while the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP) would oversee compliance. Citizens would also be able to see which institutions have accessed their specific records.
The public consultation on this legislation runs until 23 March 2026, with the government aiming for the new rules to take effect in spring 2027.
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