SMS and WhatsApp messages can be subject to freedom of
information requests, according to a ruling by a court in the
Netherlands.
The Dutch government had claimed that electronic messages were
not subject to such requests, but the Midden-Nederland court
disagreed, writes Binnenlands Bestuur.
The court found that SMS and WhatsApp messages on a business
phone can fall under the definition of a “written piece or other
material containing information” in the law on public
administration (Wet Openbaarheid van Bestuur – WOB).
The storage means is not relevant when it comes to determining
whether a public administration document can be made public.
Culled: telecompaper.com
SMS and WhatsApp messages can be subject to freedom of
information requests, according to a ruling by a court in the
Netherlands.
The Dutch government had claimed that electronic messages were
not subject to such requests, but the Midden-Nederland court
disagreed, writes Binnenlands Bestuur.
The court found that SMS and WhatsApp messages on a business
phone can fall under the definition of a “written piece or other
material containing information” in the law on public
administration (Wet Openbaarheid van Bestuur – WOB).
The storage means is not relevant when it comes to determining
whether a public administration document can be made public.
Culled: telecompaper.com