Cybersecurity Policy Report, Netherlands Seeks Input on Algorithmic Decision Making, (Mar 6, 2025)

By Tony Foley

The Dutch data protection authority, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), called for public comment today on tools it would develop to ensure meaningful human intervention in algorithmic decision making.

Organizations are increasingly using algorithms and artificial intelligence to make decisions in areas such as the assessment of credit and online job applications, AP noted today in a news release.

But under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), people have the right to human intervention in algorithmic decisions that have consequences for them, it said.

AP said human intervention was required to prevent people from being unintentionally excluded or discriminated against by the outcome of an algorithm. In addition, AP said, the way in which meaningful human intervention is set up is essential. It pointed out that if an employee was hindered by time pressure or an unclear system, it could have an impact on the outcome of the decision.

As a result of the questions raised by these issues, AP is developing tools for meaningful human intervention. To ensure that the tools are well-suited to the task in practice, AP is asking companies and organizations for input. Documents provided in the news release (but available only in Dutch) provide examples and an overview of questions that could help organizations set up meaningful human intervention, with a focus on people, technology, design, and process.

Interested parties can provide feedback through avenues outlined in AP’s consultation page. The agency is accepting submissions through April 6.

News: InternationalLegislation DataPrivacy GDPR AINews