100 handtekeningen verzameld
Aan: EU citizens
WHISTLEBLOWER SUSPENDED saving 18 million DIGITAL IDENTITIES (EU) from U.S. CONTROL
The New York Times and Dutch newspapers have written about Pieter van Oordt, the Chief Privacy Officer leading efforts around Digital Sovereignty and Privacy within the Dutch national government. Personally and through NGO efforts, he has protected 18 million Digital IDs, also linked to the European eIDs by blocking a takeover by a major American tech company.
He has been suspended by senior civil servants who wanted the takeover to proceed. A dismissal has been announced for May 22, 2026. Why? Because he prevented an American takeover worth €100 million by Kyndryl of a digital infrastructure company by escalating internally for more than four months, and then by appealing to the media, the Dutch Parliament, and the Cabinet.
Although the Ministry of Economic Affairs formally blocked the American takeover, he left them little choice by highlighting the risks and alternative solutions through the media. He also demonstrated that the parliament was not properly informed.
He stood up to protect critical government infrastructure that processes 700 million authentications per year (Digital ID, eIDAS node), 10 million digital government mailboxes for citizens, and the digital mail connection between government agencies in the Netherlands. The takeover would have endangered privacy, public health, and national security by breaking the EU Digital Sovereignty.
His role was undermined, he was excluded from meetings, and a senior official blocked his salary increase. On January 14, 2026, his request for protection under the European Whistleblower Directive was rejected. Wrongly so, as is also evident from an expert report by a judicial expert. He should have received protection as early as November 2025. 200 days later, it is still unresolved.
After five months of discussions, escalations, and blockades, he chose another path towards the Dutch government led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten. To do this, he had to gain the support of the media and the public. His actions are described in The New York Times. (See also LinkedIn: NDSM COMMUNITY, named after a creative harbor area in Amsterdam).
He revealed that:
- Vulnerabilities in vital digital infrastructure were shared under the authority of a senior official with an American company;
- Parliament received incomplete and misleading information about these matters;
- Society was exposed to unacceptable risks to privacy and continuity of government services.
His efforts succeeded: the Ministry of Economic Affairs blocked the takeover of Solvinity BV by Kyndryl due to the danger to the public interest. This is the first time the Dutch government has prevented a takeover by an American digital company.
"Digital lifelines must be protected," says CPO Pieter van Oordt. He gives lectures on Digital Sovereignty and Privacy and hopes to raise awareness, action, and solutions. Let us improve the situation for the Chief Privacy Officer who defends Digital Sovereignty and Privacy.
Waarom is het belangrijk?
Call to the European Parliament and the European Commission to act:
- Protect Chief Privacy Officer Pieter van Oordt against an unfair dismissal, encouraged by senior officials and the Dutch government.
- Ensure a fair continuation of Pieter van Oordt’s career, from his crucial privacy role at the Ministry of the Interior to a secure environment at the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
- Put digital sovereignty of vital infrastructure and services on the agenda of the European Parliament.
- Urge the European Commission to hold the Jetten Dutch government and the Ministry of the Interior accountable.