A foundation which fights mass claims in court is taking legal action against the health ministry and regional health boards on behalf of people whose personal details were sold as a result of a massive health board data leak.

The data was gleaned from regional health board data bases used to share details of people who had a coronavirus test in 2021. Names, addresses and phone numbers as well as personal BSN numbers were offered up for sale, RTL found at the time, increasing the chances of identity fraud as well as phishing and stalking.

‘The aim of the court case is to force the government to handle the private data of citizens with more care, especially in situations occur where they are under an obligation to provide them,’ ICAM spokesman Adriaan de Gier said.

Die Gier said it was ‘typical’ that the ministry ‘waited over nine months to close the leak, even after it had been exposed, allowing criminals to continue to trade.’

ICAM is demanding €500 for each of the 6.5 million people whose data could have been stolen and €1,500 for those who can prove their data were actually taken.

The foundation is also putting Rotterdam and Amsterdam city councils on the stand, as well as safety regions and umbrella health board organisation GGD GHOR.

People who feel they have been (potentially) duped can register for free to take part in the claim, which is funded by litigation firm Liesker Procesfinanciering on a no cure no pay basis. It stands to pocket 20% of the compensation, if any, which could run to some €5 million.