Ten municipalities fined for illegal processing of information about Muslim people

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens, AP) has imposed a significant fine of €250,000 on ten municipalities for illegally processing sensitive personal data concerning their Islamic residents. This action underscores the stringent enforcement of data protection laws in Europe, particularly concerning the handling of special categories of personal data, such as religious affiliation. The municipalities’ unauthorized collection and processing of this information represent a clear violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), highlighting the critical need for robust data governance and transparency in public administration. The core of the violation lies in the municipalities' clandestine processing of dossiers containing sensitive details about Islamic individuals, without their knowledge or explicit consent. This processing involved data related to religion and, in some instances, political preferences, which are explicitly categorized as prohibited under GDPR unless specific, stringent conditions are met. The AP’s investigation revealed a failure by these local authorities to adhere to fundamental data processing principles, including lawfulness, fairness, and transparency, thereby breaching the trust placed in them by citizens. This ruling has broad implications for how public bodies handle personal information, especially data that could be used for profiling or discriminatory purposes. It serves as a stark reminder that ignorance of data protection regulations is not a defense, and breaches can lead to substantial financial penalties and reputational damage. The AP's decisive action aims to reinforce the importance of secure and lawful data handling, particularly for vulnerable groups, and signals a commitment to upholding digital rights across all levels of governance within the EU.