The planned acquisition of Dutch company Solvinity by American multinational Kyndryl is causing great concern among experts. They have sent an urgent letter to the Investment Review Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and are spreading the appeal via De Volkskrant and Follow the Money. Read the appeal below.
American tech giant Kyndryl wants to acquire Dutch IT service provider Solvinity. This raises fundamental questions about our digital autonomy. After all, Solvinity manages the infrastructure behind DigiD, the system that allows citizens to identify themselves digitally to all kinds of Dutch government agencies, including the Tax and Customs Administration, as well as insurers and healthcare and service providers. DigiD is legally designated as a service that is vital to our society.
Kyndryl has reported to the Investment Assessment Bureau (BTI) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the BTI must now assess whether the takeover is acceptable. The question is whether this assessment will take place at all, but the BTI is not commenting on this. Citizens cannot find out anything about the details of any assessment decision that may be taken.
That is why a coalition of experts and advocates, including Privacy First and the Firewall Foundation, sent an urgent letter to the BTI on Monday 12 January. In it, we urgently request information about the review process so that we, as interested citizens, can be involved in that process.
Why are we so concerned about this acquisition?
Under US law, which applies to Kyndryl, the United States can demand access to data and systems, which is contrary to the interests of the Netherlands and the privacy of Dutch citizens. This could have major consequences for citizens in our country.
- Sovereignty: Placing this vital infrastructure in foreign hands will increase our dependence on American technology companies and put pressure on our digital self-determination.
- Continuity and security: If part of our vital digital infrastructure is placed in American hands, this will increase the Netherlands' vulnerability to failure, manipulation or even blackmail. Current geopolitical developments and developments in the United States itself make it clear how urgent this is.
Our appeal:
We demand full transparency regarding BTI's assessment of this acquisition. As stakeholders, we want to be able to participate in this assessment process and have our voices heard.
It is essential that the risks to national security and the individual freedoms of citizens are fully identified and safeguarded before such an acquisition can take place. The foundations of our digital society must be carefully protected.
Read more
- Read the article Experts demand insight into sale of DigiD from De Volkskrant (Dutch)
- Read the article Prominent figures take action against American takeover DigiD (Dutch, paywall)
