We were guests in the House of Representatives to talk about the (intended) takeover of Solvinity for DigiD

The Dutch Parliament convened for a roundtable discussion on January 27, 2026, to address the potential takeover of Solvinity, a key provider for the national digital identity system, DigiD. This discussion underscores growing concerns within Europe about the implications of foreign ownership over critical digital infrastructure and services. The central worry is that a US-based entity acquiring Solvinity could be compelled by foreign laws to cease operations, potentially disabling access to DigiD and disrupting essential public services overnight. Bits of Freedom presented a position paper highlighting critical attention points regarding Solvinity's proposed acquisition and its impact on DigiD's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The organization emphasized the potential vulnerabilities introduced by non-European control over such a sensitive national system. This event reflects a broader European debate on ensuring digital sovereignty and safeguarding public services from geopolitical or legal disruptions originating outside the EU. The discussion directly affects Dutch citizens who rely on DigiD for various online government services, from tax filings to healthcare appointments. If access were disrupted, it would have significant societal and economic repercussions, highlighting the strategic importance of maintaining control over foundational digital identity platforms. The Dutch government and parliament are now tasked with carefully evaluating the risks associated with this acquisition and considering policy measures to secure DigiD's future functionality and data protection.