Dutch government criticised over reliance on Microsoft cloud
The Court of Audit warned that two-thirds of Dutch public cloud services lacked proper risk assessments.
Despite privacy concerns and parliamentary criticism, the Dutch Tax Administration will move much of its digital workplace to Microsoft’s cloud. State Secretary Eugène Heijnen told lawmakers that no suitable European alternatives met the technical, legal, and functional requirements.
Privacy advocates warn that using a US-based provider could put compliance with GDPR at risk, especially when data may leave the EU. Concerns about long-term dependency on a single cloud vendor have also been raised, making future transitions costly and complex.
Heijnen said sensitive documents would remain on internal servers, while cloud services would handle workplace functions. Employees had complained that the current system was inefficient and difficult to use.
The Court of Audit reported earlier this year that nearly two-thirds of the Dutch government’s public cloud services had not been properly risk-assessed. Despite this, Heijnen insisted that Microsoft offered the most viable option.
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