Artikel 10: Privacy
- Everyone shall have the right to respect for his privacy, without prejudice to restrictions laid down by or pursuant to Act of Parliament.
- Rules to protect privacy shall be laid down by Act of Parliament in connection with the recording and dissemination of personal data.
- Rules concerning the rights of persons to be informed of data recorded concerning them and of the use that is made thereof, and to have such data corrected shall be laid down by Act of Parliament.
Explanation
Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect.
This article gives everyone the right to be left alone in their private life and, for example, not to be listened in on.
Private life includes, among other things:
- the home
- correspondence
- communication by telephone and other means
- the right not to be watched or eavesdropped on
- the right to careful handling of personal data
- respect for one’s inner life
- respect for bodily integrity
The law may limit this right in certain cases, for example in criminal investigations. The legislature also lays down rules on the use of sensitive personal data.