US ambassador criticizes Dutch ban on sale of IT company
The US ambassador to the Netherlands has criticized the Dutch government's decision to block an acquisition. The company in question is Solvinity, a major IT service provider responsible for, among other things, the management of DigiD. The Dutch government halted the sale to a foreign party due to concerns regarding national security.
Solvinity plays a crucial role in the Dutch digital infrastructure. Because the company manages systems that contain sensitive personal data of citizens, the government views the sale as a risk. According to the new legislation for security screening of investments, the state is permitted to intervene if an acquisition could jeopardize the security of vital processes.
The US ambassador disagrees with this decision. According to the ambassador, such a ban could send a negative signal to international investors. There is fear that this will make the Dutch business climate less attractive to foreign companies looking to invest in the Dutch technology sector.
The cabinet, however, stands by its position. The protection of digital systems and the privacy of millions of Dutch citizens who use DigiD take priority. The discussion highlights the tension between keeping the market open to foreign investment and protecting national digital security at a time when cyber threats are increasing.