The AP in 2026: focus on mass surveillance, AI, and digital resilience

The Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), the Dutch data protection authority, has announced its strategic priorities for 2026-2028, focusing on mass surveillance, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital resilience. This proactive approach signals a commitment to safeguarding individuals in an increasingly digitized society, particularly as new technologies and pervasive data collection methods emerge. The AP's yearly plan for 2026 outlines the specific actions it will undertake to address these critical areas. Central to the AP's agenda is the growing concern over mass surveillance, where widespread data collection and monitoring could infringe upon fundamental privacy rights. The authority also highlights artificial intelligence as a key area of focus, acknowledging its transformative potential but also the risks associated with its deployment, such as algorithmic bias and opaque decision-making processes. Furthermore, the AP aims to bolster digital resilience, equipping citizens and organizations with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape securely. These priorities will directly impact citizens, businesses, and technology developers operating within the European Union. The AP's intensified scrutiny on AI and surveillance technologies is likely to drive greater compliance with existing regulations like the GDPR and inform the implementation of upcoming legislation such as the AI Act. By prioritizing these areas, the AP seeks to foster a more secure and privacy-respecting digital environment, potentially encouraging the development of more ethical and transparent AI applications and data handling practices.