Dutch intelligence agencies are reducing information sharing with the United States due to concerns about the political climate and human rights, while simultaneously increasing cooperation with European partners. This shift marks a departure from decades of close collaboration with US agencies like the CIA and NSA.

The directors of the AIVD and MIVD cited the increasingly autocratic tendencies of the US government as a reason for their caution. Specifically, they pointed to the dismissal of officials deemed disloyal and the use of lawsuits to pressure journalists, judges, and universities. This marks the first time developments in the US have directly influenced Dutch intelligence ties.

While the directors acknowledged that they sometimes withhold information from the US, they emphasized a more critical, case-by-case approach to sharing. They expressed concern about the potential politicization of intelligence and human rights violations.

Cooperation within Europe has intensified, driven by the war in Ukraine. A leading group of northern European intelligence services, including the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, Scandinavian countries, France, and Poland, are now exchanging more information, including raw data.

The directors also highlighted the growing cyber threats posed by Russia and China. They stated that Russia is responsible for numerous successful hacks in the Netherlands each year, causing significant disruption, while China is becoming an even greater digital threat. Travelers to China were warned about “close access” operations targeting their devices.

Both intelligence chiefs advocated for broader powers to enable faster responses to Russian and Chinese cyberattacks. They argued that the current procedures are too slow.