Annual report
2025

Not only does this make sense, it is the law. The European platform act (Digital Services Act) was introduced to take the power from Big Tech and give it back to users. That’s why in April we filed a complaint against Meta with the regulator. But when the Dutch government collapsed and elections were called, one thing became clear: waiting for the complaint to be taken under consideration was not an option. The urgency was too great, so we went to court.

And with success! In October the Court ruled in our favor and decided that Meta was breaking the law. The company had to modify its platforms and was given until year end to do so. Meta made most of the changes, reluctantly. And sure, they filed appeal, too. The hearing will be held in January. But there’s no stopping us. We will continue to fight for your online freedom of choice!

This was preceded by years of hard work. Together with the law firm of PILP, documentary maker Nirit Peled and researcher Fieke Jansen we raised the pressure. We struck up a dialogue with the city, and made videos to reach the affected communities.

We did not reach a settlement, but eventually the city came to see that its policy was not okay. Of course we would have loved an apology and recognition of the suffering of the families involved, but we are happy that the Top400 was dropped. Let this be a clear lesson to other cities: do not experiment with algorithms on children and young people.

This called for resistance! With some hundred other civic society organizations we convened in Brussels to take a united stand against the plans. We sent letters urging the European Commission to protect digital rights.

Our story was heard by politicians and the media and our concerns were shared frequently. In the coming period we will keep going, until existing and new laws provide the best possible protection to people.

Big Tech corporations determine what their users get to see, and that way they can exert influence also politically. Often implicit and invisibly, but suddenly very visibly, like when X became a political project to help Trump back in the saddle. The American authorities have access to the servers of Big Tech corporations, even those located outside the US. This means Trump can wield the power of American Big Tech corporations as a weapon. Just think about it: “If you don’t….[take your pick], I will shut down your internet.” Once Big Tech and Big Brother join forces, the possibilities are endless.

Time to change tack! We launched a campaign and recommended alternatives to Big Tech. It takes just eight steps to become (more) independent. Over 2,500 supporters of privacy joined us. Together we stand up against Big Tech and show how things can be done differently.

And guess what? The ten municipalities we investigated did not really know which algorithms they were using. Again, public accountability about the use of algorithms fell short. What’s more, no less than nine out of ten municipalities did not supply any documents about the processes involving algorithms or not in time. And municipalities often apply the most complex and invasive algorithms to the most vulnerable groups: people entitled to welfare, residents of so-called underprivileged neighborhoods and young people. With all its consequences. The Dutch childcare benefits scandal is just one example.

This is unacceptable. We called municipalities to account and demanded that they should get a grip on their algorithm usage and be accountable to their residents!

This proposal would harm everyone. Including the children and young people that it intends to protect against the distribution of online sexual abuse material.

We sounded the alarm time after time. We regularly met with the government to ensure that the Netherlands would keep voting against these draconian measures. And it paid off! The Netherlands stood firm. Late 2025 the impasse was broken, and the Member States agreed to protect the confidentiality of communication. A landmark victory for privacy!

We carried out technical research to bring violations of the DSA to light. To that end we analyzed six major online platforms: Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Shein, Booking.com, and Zalando. And no surprise there: all platforms contained design techniques manipulating users.

We made a series of videos to make users aware of those manipulative tricks. Moreover, we carried out follow-up research into misleading notifications of Snapchat to support an enforcement request we will file in 2026. It’s high time these violations of the law stopped.

The time for standing by and doing nothing has long passed. We called on the government to finally quit Big Tech social media. It is precisely the government that should set an example and give alternatives a chance. The government’s leaving would mean that we as citizens would be a little less dependent on tech moguls and their fickle policies.

Countless media picked up our call to action. At a press conference prime minister Schoof said he would keep a finger on the pulse. Of course that was not good enough for us. We further fueled the discussion. Meanwhile a great deal of government organizations quit the use of X. A step in the right direction!

We continued denouncing an age limit for social media, as we believe it is just symptomatic treatment. There are better, more durable, solutions that will benefit both young people and adults. In our meetings with policy makers we targeted the structural problems that platforms present, like addictive design.

With the desired result. Although the minister did not come with a firm enforceable age limit they did present clear guidelines and advice on smartphone and social media usage. Exactly what many educators need. Of course there’s still a long way to go. We will continue to press for the strict regulation of mechanisms that make platforms so dangerous (both to young people and to adults).

As such threats increase, we see the need for civil society groups to work more closely together. Now more than ever, it is important for organizations from different domains to join forces and develop strategies that offer counter-power.

In support of this development, the Democracy and Media Foundation and we organized a conference on “Resilient Counter-Power”. We welcomed over 50 individuals and organizations working in law and journalism, grassroots movements, lobbying, science and culture. Together we stand…!

That’s why we organized a workshop with civil society organizations, B-corp corporations and communication experts. We discussed campaigning strategies that prioritize the rights and wellbeing of individuals.

We also launched a pilot: Our “Away from Big Tech” campaign gave us more insight into visitor numbers and in the channels that lead people to us. These are learning points that will help us to quickly reach a bigger audience in case of new developments. We want to reach and mobilize our followers and allies faster – but ethically.

In 2025 the public and an expert panels chose two winners out of four nominees: The Minister of Finance and DPG Media. The Minister of Finance won for the policy that indirectly results in privacy breaches and discrimination by financial institutions. DPG Media received a Big Brother Award for its daily tracking and profiling of millions of news consumers.

At the annual award ceremony we also recognize privacy advocates who are indispensable in keeping those in power in check. In 2025 the positive Felipe Rodriquez Award went to Marietje Schaake (internet and privacy expert, author and former politician) for raising the inadequate democratic scrutiny of Big Tech corporations. Another winner was Danny Mekić (internet consultant and author) for successfully suing X over shadow banning. He is an example of counter-power against powerful Big Tech platforms.