Some municipalities in the Netherlands are considering using facial scans to determine the identity of citizens who come to apply for a new ID. On the other hand it is not yet clear whether this is allowed under current privacy legislation.
The Dutch Association for Civil Affairs allows to the NOS know that the municipalities of Utrechtse Heuvelrug and Almere among others are considering using a system with a facial scan. In theory, a scan could help to check whether the person applying for a new ID passport or driver's license is also in the photo on the expired document.
For the time being it is not clear to the municipalities concerned whether such a facial scan is allowed and what that process should look like. The Ministry of the Interior said in a response to the broadcaster that such an implementation could be introduced 'on our own initiative and under our own responsibility'. To this end, municipalities must carry out a risk analysis themselves to test whether such a system complies with the relevant privacy legislation. Similar systems are already available on among others airports and train stations in use.
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