The Netherlands fights espionage: civil servants are banned from buying on AliExpress

The Dutch government has decided to ban civil servants from using certain mobile applications from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea due to the potential threat of espionage. This was reported by NOS with reference to UNN.

The banned applications, including TikTok, AliExpress, WeChat, and VKontakte, are considered potentially dangerous by the Dutch government because they can collect personal information of users, such as contacts, location, and photos. In addition, these applications can be used to spread disinformation and propaganda.

The ban on the use of these apps applies to all public servants, including central government officials, local governments, and state-owned enterprises. Civil servants who violate the ban face disciplinary action, including dismissal.

The ban on the use of these applications is part of a broader campaign by the Dutch government to protect citizens' personal information from espionage. In addition to the banned applications, the Dutch government has also banned the use of other mobile applications from China that are considered potentially harmful.

The ban on the use of these apps has drawn criticism from some individuals who consider it excessive and restrictive of citizens' freedom of speech. However, the Dutch government argues that the ban is necessary to protect national interests and security.