proposal by the European Commission to amend the Dual-Use Regulation by adding a new category of goods to the control list. This approach can lead to overlapping or even contradictory regulations. What is more, it disrupts the level playing field at global level, to the disadvantage of European industry, since the autonomous control list only applies to the EU. 4.5.5 Capacity building To address existing threats and take full advantage of the opportunities that digitisation offers our international community and economy, the government is committed to capacity building. The aim of capacity building is to promote a basic level of cybersecurity around the world and in Europe in particular. To this end the Netherlands shares knowledge, best practices and training in the field of cybersecurity. For example, we stress the importance of Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD) in European and international platforms, including the EU and GFCE. The government is also keen to promote CSIRT capabilities (‘CSIRT maturity’). The Netherlands also contributes to capacity building for the benefit of actors in the field of security and human rights online. It contributes to digitalisation processes and applications at country level, and in terms of society the Netherlands supports projects that use digital technologies as a catalyst for sustainable development. Over the long term such efforts help cement strategic alliances aimed at fostering a free, open and secure digital domain. 4.6 Rights and internet freedom 4.6.1 Fundamental rights and freedoms online To maintain and advocate fundamental rights and freedoms internationally, the government pursues a policy on human rights that includes an international cyber component. Respect for human rights is the basis for an open, free and secure society. The protection of personal data and privacy, freedom of expression, the right to seek information, freedom of association and assembly, and the prohibition on discrimination are under increasing pressure from some governments, which use national security as a pretext for disproportional intrusions. The Netherlands regards security and freedom as complementary, rather than conflicting, interests: a safe, secure society is a society in which the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual are protected. The government champions this human-rights-inclusive vision abroad in order to further the dialogue on it. In international forums and multi-stakeholder platforms, the Netherlands works to achieve greater recognition and safeguards for fundamental rights online. This recognition is vital to offset negative trends that are putting pressure on internet freedom in a growing number of countries. In order to reverse such trends, all interested parties around the world need to work together. Countries need to learn from and share each other’s best practices. Better diplomatic coordination is vital to keeping the internet open and free at a time when more and more states are seeking to create a ‘national’ internet. The Netherlands seeks to encourage the involvement of companies, NGOs, the technology community and academia. 4.6.2 The right to personal data protection and the right to privacy To ensure the protection and recognition of the right to personal data protection and the right to privacy, the government is supporting relevant initiatives in various multilateral forums. It is vital that the right to the protection of personal data and respect for privacy are also protected and recognised in a digital context. The Netherlands will therefore continue to form coalitions with likeminded countries on this matter. In early 2016 the government presented its position on the issue of encryption. It is the task of the government to safeguard the Netherlands’ security and investigate criminal offences. In this connection the government underscores the need for lawful access to data and communication. Moreover, public authorities, businesses and individuals benefit from having the most secure possible digital systems. The government endorses the importance of strong encryption for online security as a way of protecting individual privacy, enabling confidential communication on the part AVT17/BZ122203 14

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