Research conducted by RTL News has revealed that the Dutch intelligence agency, Team Public Order Intelligence (TOOI), has been engaging in illegal surveillance activities targeting mostly innocent citizens. However, according to the Ministry of Justice and Security and the National Police, TOOI's actions are deemed to be within the bounds of the law.
TOOI reportedly monitors individuals and groups based on the provisions of the Police Act, particularly when there is suspicion that they pose a threat to public order as reported by RTL News. The intelligence service employs various tactics, including infiltration, covert surveillance both in person and online, and utilizing paid informants to gather information.
Additionally, police officers are tasked with documenting information about subjects with a “CTER label,” which stands for Counter Terrorism Extremism Radicalization. Individuals or groups can receive such a label if TOOI deems them to pose a potential risk of disrupting public order. There are eight categories of CTER labels, identifying threats ranging from general to specific ideologies such as jihadist, left-wing or right-wing extremism, separatism, or animal and environmental extremism.
Experts cited by RTL News have raised concerns about the vague criteria used by TOOI to determine what constitutes a threat to public order, noting that labeling someone as a potential disruptor is not sufficient grounds for infringing upon their privacy rights. There is also ambiguity surrounding TOOI’s definition of public order threats, with instances like a peaceful protest against a slaughterhouse being classified as environmental extremism by the intelligence service.
In response to these allegations, the Ministry of Justice and Security and the National Police have defended TOOI's actions, asserting that the intelligence service operates within legal parameters. They argue that any privacy infringements that may occur are minor and permissible under the Police Act. Oversight of TOOI falls under the purview of mayors, although an article on Regioburgemeesters.nl reveals that two team leaders from the intelligence service acknowledge the need for improved supervision. The responsible mayors have also acknowledged the necessity for enhanced oversight of the service.
Established in 2013, the Public Order Intelligence Team serves as an independent intelligence agency within the National Police, tasked with gathering information on potential perpetrators of disruptions to public order.
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