News item | 15-05-2025 | 13:29
From 15 May, more forms of espionage are punishable, such as digital espionage and diaspora spionage. The Criminal Code will receive a new penalty provision for this. With the law, the government wants to better protect our national security, the safety of people, vital infrastructure and high -quality technologies.
There was already legislation that criminalizes classical espionage, such as sharing state secrets. But change forms and use of espionage. Even if a person leaks sensitive information to a foreign government who is not state secret, or if someone carries out secret actions for a foreign government, this is punishable from 15 May if it can seriously harm Dutch interests. Such as sharing sensitive company information that can abuse another country or pass on personal data to foreign governments.
Punish
Persons who carry out espionage activities for a foreign government can get a maximum prison sentence of eight years. In very serious situations a maximum prison sentence of twelve years applies. That is, for example, if espionage activities result in death. Due to the rise of digital espionage, computer crimes can also be punished more heavily if they are committed for a foreign government. The criminal maxim is also increased by a number of other criminal offenses that go together with espionage activities and are committed for foreign governments, such as bribery.
Interested in more than state secrets
Spionage focuses on more than just state secrets. Foreign governments are also interested in non-state secret, sensitive information about a certain economic sector or about political decision-making. Such information can be used to influence political processes, to weaken the Dutch economy or play allies against each other. Spionage can also concern other actions than sharing information. Consider stealing high -tech knowledge, the sabotage of vital infrastructure, having political decision -making influence or the endanger of Dutch people with a migration background.
Espionage activities aimed at (diaspora) communities
An important part of the expansion of the law is to combat espionage aimed at (diaspora) communities. Hereby foreign powers try to exert influence on their citizens or former countrymen who now live in the Netherlands. For example, they collect (personal) data and try to influence citizens from their own (alleged) internal safety interests. Foreign governments do not shy away from mobilizing members of the community to censor or put pressure on opponents and critics within those communities to work with. The new law offers more opportunities to take action against these activities. With the entry into force of the law, a step has been taken in increasing resilience against state threats.
Make a report and make a declaration
If you have a suspicion of espionage you can make a declaration with the police. It is also advisable to always report the security coordinator within your organization and the AIVD.
Want to know more?
Read more www.nctv.nl/spionage