Privacy code of conduct for detective agencies

Do you run a private detective agency? You must keep the Privacy Code of Conduct for Private Detective Agencies (Privacygedragscode particuliere onderzoeksbureaus). This code of conduct applies to all detective agencies in the Netherlands.

What is the Privacy Code of Conduct?

The Privacy Code of Conduct for Private Detective Agencies lays down standards for the performance of private investigations. It sets out:

• how you should carry out your research
• how to handle the personal data of the people you are investigating (privacy)

This Code of Conduct has been approved by the Dutch DPA (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens).

Rules of conduct for private detective agencies

The Code of Conduct includes rules about:

• acceptable aims for collecting data
• how long to store data
• confidentiality
• security of data
• special personal data
• informing the person you are investigating
• the rights of the person you are investigating.

The Privacy Code of Conduct is also included as an appendix to the Private Security Firm and Detective Agency Regulations (Regeling particuliere beveiligingsorganisaties en recherchebureaus, in Dutch).