The Dutch government is  introducing new legislation which will require the takeover of key Dutch telecoms or internet companies to be approved by ministers.

The draft legislation has been sent to the Council of State advisory panel for its recommendations. The aim of the new bill is to prevent crucial players falling into ‘foreign’ hands.

The legislation, if passed would give ministers the right to refuse to allow the takeover of telecoms, internet or data centre operations if ‘national security or public safety could be compromised’.

‘If internet, data traffic and telephony don’t work well… consumers and businesses will suffer economic damage,’ junior economic affairs minister Mona Keijzer, who is in charge of the legislation, said.

‘The Netherlands benefits enormously from its open economy but the cabin wants to ensure that unreliable, not transparent and criminal companies do not impact on national security.’

Keijzer hopes the draft bill will be debated in parliament after the summer break.