Dutch Lawmakers Propose Digital ‘Red Button’ To Delete Personal Data
Dutch lawmakers have introduced legislation that would create a centralized "Red Button" system allowing children to delete their personal data from major tech platforms with a single action. The proposal comes as the Netherlands confronts growing concerns about youth digital wellbeing.
MPs Don Ceder (of the Christian Union Party) and Jesse Six Dijkstra (Nieuw Sociaal Contract) presented their initiative on Tuesday, citing alarming statistics from a 2024 study. According to the research, Dutch youths aged 15-21 spend an average of 5.4 hours daily on smartphones, with over 60% reporting social media addiction. Among teenage girls, nearly 40% experience negative emotions after platform use.
The Red Button proposal aims to streamline the GDPR’s right to be forgotten, which currently requires users to navigate multiple platform-specific processes. Under the plan, a government-backed system would enable mass data deletion requests across tech platforms designated as “Very Large Online Platforms” under the EU's Digital Services Act.
The book "Extreme Privacy: How to Disappear Completely 5th edition" is likely the most comprehensive guide there is on this--and goes far beyond cleaning up one's online footprint.
I've read it cover to cover. It's overwhelming and doing everything will take me a very long period of time.
It's totally worth the $40. But be warned; a single error (buying a house with a private trust, only to be betrayed by appliance delivery, for example) will f everything up--at least if the goal is to keep your home's physical address private.
Thanks for the recommendation! I totally agree, but trying to vanish completely from all systems is a colossal task. The article was meant just to share a few small steps for those who don’t even do the basics, like sending data removal and deindexation requests. Going full ghost mode is definitely more of a life project than a weekend task.
Agreed, and my reply wasn't intended as criticism. You're right; focus on the basics but...
The author did convince me never to buy a used phone; if a judge issues a warrant for someone, that includes all their devices, whether they sold them off or not.
That, and the fact that people's Kindle reading and notes have been dragged into divorce cases... I'm just saying.
Cellphones have unique numbers attached to them. A warrant goes out for the suspect, possibly including all of their devices, and the data on refurbished phone (now in someone else's possession) gets added to the pile of evidence that can be used and made public in court.
That book also mentions something that is to my mind far darker...
American law enforcement, when they can't get evidence using legal/constitutional means, will simply email Canadian law enforcement, which has far broader powers.
Slightly related but Canadian customs can search your devices for what they consider hate speech and illegal content [reminder that small-breasted but above-age toplessness is illegal in Australian pornography, I suppose because they feel that it looks childish] and bar you from entry--and they can force you to unencrypt whatever they want.
Use a different username on every site. always. Never post your pic on public sites or profiles. Add only close friends you actually talk to on social media. never use your last name on any social media. Delete yourself from all the public phone and name searches you can (see extreme privacy). if you decide to share nudes no faces or identifying features. Use a viop for any 2-factor that lets you do so. have a junk email that you don't mind being attached to (ie not your real name). Have a linked in profile with your real information on it so employers can find it and not think you're weird that there's nothing else out there.
My question would be, even if we'd pay a company to delete our data, how do we know THEY didn't keep a copy of what they just "destroyed" on our behalf? I guess these days I just don't trust anyone anymore.
That’s actually one of the reasons I don’t use those services. But still, they definitely have to retain your deletion request , even just to legally protect themselves in case you sue them for false advertising or service failure. And honestly, I highly doubt they’re using any kind of privacy-preserving tech like zero-knowledge proofs to unlink your request from your identity.
Tentei entrar em contato com Google para remover um livro que foi publicado por conta de um trabalho feito em escola. Até agora vem me passando de um lado para outro, da companhia que o publicou no Google Books para o Google Books. Um inferno. Sem falar que as políticas de apagar sua informação no Brasil (melhor que na Argentina) visam que vc fique de saco cheio e não queira continuar. Pedi para remover minha informação de login de uma empresa tempo atrás. Um mês num ir e vir de respostas do setor responsável e eu: o que vc quer remover? Isto, respondia. Quatro dias depois: nao prefere suspender a deletar!”? Não, respondia. Quatro dias depois: confirma então que quer deletar sua conta e informações? Só consegui por persistir, em outro momento talvez deixava para lá. Mas é isso que vc falou; não conseguiremos apagar tudo a esta altura da vida (digital).
Outra opção é você trabalhar com as leis de privacidade e proteção de dados e entrar em contato direto com o Data Protection Officer da empresa responsável pelo dado, não o Google. A Argentina tem uma lei de proteção de dados, que inclusive é reconhecida pela GDPR como madura e adequada - se é eficaz eu desconheço. Se você entende que seus dados pessoais estão aparecendo em algum lugar que foge da finalidade pela qual o dado existe, envie uma notificação formal para a empresa e se não atendido, faça uma denúncia na AAIP (DNPDP) - https://www.argentina.gob.ar/aaip
Be careful to not add new data while attempting to delete the old junk. For instance Facebook/Meta, Threads, WhatsApp and Instagram are all part of the same umbrella: Zuckerberg has you coming and going.😳
Look that:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/federicoguerrini/2025/04/02/dutch-lawmakers-propose-digital-red-button-to-delete-personal-data/
Dutch Lawmakers Propose Digital ‘Red Button’ To Delete Personal Data
Dutch lawmakers have introduced legislation that would create a centralized "Red Button" system allowing children to delete their personal data from major tech platforms with a single action. The proposal comes as the Netherlands confronts growing concerns about youth digital wellbeing.
MPs Don Ceder (of the Christian Union Party) and Jesse Six Dijkstra (Nieuw Sociaal Contract) presented their initiative on Tuesday, citing alarming statistics from a 2024 study. According to the research, Dutch youths aged 15-21 spend an average of 5.4 hours daily on smartphones, with over 60% reporting social media addiction. Among teenage girls, nearly 40% experience negative emotions after platform use.
The Red Button proposal aims to streamline the GDPR’s right to be forgotten, which currently requires users to navigate multiple platform-specific processes. Under the plan, a government-backed system would enable mass data deletion requests across tech platforms designated as “Very Large Online Platforms” under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Good timing!
The book "Extreme Privacy: How to Disappear Completely 5th edition" is likely the most comprehensive guide there is on this--and goes far beyond cleaning up one's online footprint.
I've read it cover to cover. It's overwhelming and doing everything will take me a very long period of time.
It's totally worth the $40. But be warned; a single error (buying a house with a private trust, only to be betrayed by appliance delivery, for example) will f everything up--at least if the goal is to keep your home's physical address private.
Highly recommended.
Thanks for the recommendation! I totally agree, but trying to vanish completely from all systems is a colossal task. The article was meant just to share a few small steps for those who don’t even do the basics, like sending data removal and deindexation requests. Going full ghost mode is definitely more of a life project than a weekend task.
Agreed, and my reply wasn't intended as criticism. You're right; focus on the basics but...
The author did convince me never to buy a used phone; if a judge issues a warrant for someone, that includes all their devices, whether they sold them off or not.
That, and the fact that people's Kindle reading and notes have been dragged into divorce cases... I'm just saying.
Difficult times.
Ho god 🫣 in a world where even your Kindle notes can testify against you, privacy is no longer a luxury,it’s a legal liability
oh snap! It seems like a used iPhone should inadmissible in a court case. 🥺 Welp here I go adding yet another book to my library 🤦🏽♀️
Cellphones have unique numbers attached to them. A warrant goes out for the suspect, possibly including all of their devices, and the data on refurbished phone (now in someone else's possession) gets added to the pile of evidence that can be used and made public in court.
It's already happened.
agree. and this kind of situation is actually very common in judicial forensic investigations as well.
That book also mentions something that is to my mind far darker...
American law enforcement, when they can't get evidence using legal/constitutional means, will simply email Canadian law enforcement, which has far broader powers.
Slightly related but Canadian customs can search your devices for what they consider hate speech and illegal content [reminder that small-breasted but above-age toplessness is illegal in Australian pornography, I suppose because they feel that it looks childish] and bar you from entry--and they can force you to unencrypt whatever they want.
Is it Michael Bazzell book? Thanks!
Yes! The book Craig mentioned is https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Privacy-What-Takes-Disappear/dp/B0DCJN61GF
Hey everyone! As a follow-up to this article, I just posted a new piece on cookies and how to block those trackers:
https://privalogy.substack.com/p/your-data-is-being-stolen-by-cookies
Use a different username on every site. always. Never post your pic on public sites or profiles. Add only close friends you actually talk to on social media. never use your last name on any social media. Delete yourself from all the public phone and name searches you can (see extreme privacy). if you decide to share nudes no faces or identifying features. Use a viop for any 2-factor that lets you do so. have a junk email that you don't mind being attached to (ie not your real name). Have a linked in profile with your real information on it so employers can find it and not think you're weird that there's nothing else out there.
love the balance between staying private and appearing “normal” in the digital world cuz it’s basically digital hygiene at its finest.
in a world that feels more and more like 1984, protecting your digital identity it's survival.
My question would be, even if we'd pay a company to delete our data, how do we know THEY didn't keep a copy of what they just "destroyed" on our behalf? I guess these days I just don't trust anyone anymore.
That’s actually one of the reasons I don’t use those services. But still, they definitely have to retain your deletion request , even just to legally protect themselves in case you sue them for false advertising or service failure. And honestly, I highly doubt they’re using any kind of privacy-preserving tech like zero-knowledge proofs to unlink your request from your identity.
Ah. Good point. Thanks!
Well I use my real name on most of my socials. So I’m fucked lol
I do it too, and "Marison" is not a very common name even in my place LOL
Of course this is where I discover that you’re able to tell me my full name, address and what I had for breakfast.
Gotta say it seems to be much easier to lose yourself if you have an extremely common name. (Amos is not my real name).
Hahaha true! If you're some John Smith, online privacy probably isn't much of a problem hahaha
Great post!
thanks Tate! As soon I have other experiences like that I'll share it. thanks
Where do you buy the book “Extreme Privacy…” without the purchase being tracked🤔
Hahaha good point!
Tentei entrar em contato com Google para remover um livro que foi publicado por conta de um trabalho feito em escola. Até agora vem me passando de um lado para outro, da companhia que o publicou no Google Books para o Google Books. Um inferno. Sem falar que as políticas de apagar sua informação no Brasil (melhor que na Argentina) visam que vc fique de saco cheio e não queira continuar. Pedi para remover minha informação de login de uma empresa tempo atrás. Um mês num ir e vir de respostas do setor responsável e eu: o que vc quer remover? Isto, respondia. Quatro dias depois: nao prefere suspender a deletar!”? Não, respondia. Quatro dias depois: confirma então que quer deletar sua conta e informações? Só consegui por persistir, em outro momento talvez deixava para lá. Mas é isso que vc falou; não conseguiremos apagar tudo a esta altura da vida (digital).
Outra opção é você trabalhar com as leis de privacidade e proteção de dados e entrar em contato direto com o Data Protection Officer da empresa responsável pelo dado, não o Google. A Argentina tem uma lei de proteção de dados, que inclusive é reconhecida pela GDPR como madura e adequada - se é eficaz eu desconheço. Se você entende que seus dados pessoais estão aparecendo em algum lugar que foge da finalidade pela qual o dado existe, envie uma notificação formal para a empresa e se não atendido, faça uma denúncia na AAIP (DNPDP) - https://www.argentina.gob.ar/aaip
I remember this case of this guy in Sligo, really sad, but his choice I guess. Thanks for the information btw.
I’ll admit, I did a lot of digging because I thought it was fake news. One day someone’s gonna solve the mystery. Maybe he is Satoshi.
Fascinating! Thanks.
Thanks for your comment and support. I publish content about privacy here on Substack every week, glad you liked it! Cheers.
Thanks for good, practical information.
Thanks for your comment and support. I publish content about privacy here on Substack every week, glad you liked it! Cheers.
Be careful to not add new data while attempting to delete the old junk. For instance Facebook/Meta, Threads, WhatsApp and Instagram are all part of the same umbrella: Zuckerberg has you coming and going.😳
Absolutely ! deleting your data from one service means nothing if the umbrella keeps raining metadata on you ☔
I like Onion and maybe it's time to do a reverse Daisy chain. Good article and thank you.👏
Thanks Danielle