Currently, taxi drivers store ride data in a device in the taxi, the taxi onboard computer (BCT). This must be physically read periodically. Research showed that this method is no longer efficient and effective. With a new digital system, the Central Database Taxi Transport (CDT), the correct ride data will be collected and shared automatically. This will ensure that the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT) can better and more easily supervise, among other things, working and resting times.
Assessment by the Data Protection Authority
The planned legislative amendment was assessed by the Data Protection Authority (AP) at the end of last year. It became clear that the AP had concerns about the privacy of drivers and customers. This would be insufficiently protected in the proposal, among other things because the GPS coordinates of the starting and ending points of the taxi vehicle would be stored. The AP believes that this poses a risk that privacy-sensitive information could be obtained using other sources of information. In the new proposal, Secretary of State Jansen has therefore made a number of changes. For example, the endpoint is no longer registered, only the starting location of the taxi and the kilometers traveled. This way, privacy-sensitive destinations cannot be traced based on taxi data. It is also clearer where the data is intended for and that there is a legal retention period of a maximum of two years.
Entry into force
Now that the Council of Ministers has approved the proposed Decision, it will be submitted for final advice to the Council of State. July 1, 2025, is still the targeted date for entry into force.