With some regularity, Brenno de Winter is in the news. A selection of some expressions:
2025
- March 28, 2025 - Omroep Gelderland -. Municipalities and schools struggle with Big Tech, expert warns. Gelderland institutions are worried about their dependence on US tech giants like Microsoft and Adobe. Privacy risks are putting pressure on institutions like Radboud University and the municipality of Ede is even adapting their digital workplace. IT specialist Brenno de Winter warns: “Look for alternatives now, before it’s too late.” (Omroep Gelderland)
- 1 Feb 2025 - Podcast: I’ll teach you! - episode “Meow! With Brenno de Winter”. In this Dutch podcast, the host tries to learn as much as possible about a topic in an hour, in this case with Brenno de Winter as a guest (I’ll teach you! - Meow! With Brenno de Winter - Audacy). (YouTube/Audacy)
- January 2025 - Cybersec E-magazine: Report from the Cybersec Netherlands 2024 trade fair mentions that Brenno de Winter presented his new book The Validation Crisis on the main stage and announced his appeal in his lawsuit against Bunq, demanding disclosure about an AI system used by the bank (Cybersec - Cybersec returns to Asia January 2025). (Cybersec-365, January 2025)
2024
- 27 December 2024 - iBoard: Interview “Brenno de Winter: ‘Don’t ignore, but validate’”. De Winter discusses his book The Validation Crisis and warns against blind faith in algorithms. In the piece, he tells how the blocking of his Bunq bank account (due to a “medium risk “ predicate) was the direct reason for the book, and that a judge previously ruled against him in that case because Bunq had provided sufficient information, according to the judge (Brenno de Winter: ‘Don’t ignore, but validate’ - iBestuur) (Brenno de Winter: ‘Don’t ignore, but validate’ - iBestuur). (iBoard, Dec 27, 2024)
- 8 November 2024 - Computable: Article “De Winter to appeal in Bunq case “ reports that Brenno de Winter is appealing the ruling in his case against Bunq. The IT security expert and privacy activist demands that the bank disclose the customer due diligence in which his account was wrongly blocked; earlier, the court had ruled that Bunq did not have to provide that information (De Winter to appeal in Bunq case - Computable.nl). (Computable, 08 Nov 2024)
- 25 October 2024 - Computable: Preview “Brenno de Winter speaks at Cybersec Netherlands on Bunq lawsuit “. It has been announced that De Winter will address the lack of validation in AI systems as a keynote speaker at Cybersec NL, based on his conflict with Bunq. There, the experienced cyber security specialist will present his book The Validation Crisis, in which he describes how Bunq blocked his account on suspicion of fraud and how lack of transparency about the decision-making process leads to problems (Brenno de Winter speaks on Bunq lawsuit at Cybersec Netherlands - Computable.nl) (Brenno de Winter speaks on Bunq lawsuit at Cybersec Netherlands - Computable.nl). (Computable, 25 Oct 2024)
- 8 Oct 2024 - Podcast: The New World - Episode #1662 “Validation crisis: who controls the computer?” with tech expert and author Brenno de Winter. Wouter Post talks to De Winter about digital data and the law (Validation Crisis: Who Controls the Computer | #1662 With Brenno De Winter The New World podcast). (YouTube/Spotify)
- 8 October 2024 - Cybersecurity expert Brenno de Winter on the dangers of AI in cybercrime
In this episode of EenVandaag, Brenno de Winter warns about the risks of artificial intelligence in cyber attacks and how organisations can guard against them. - 13 August 2024 - Cyber Security District (podcast): Episode “9/11, The CoronaCheck app and Edward Snowden: Insights from Brenno de Winter “. In this podcast, Brenno de Winter is interviewed in detail about his career - from IT professional to investigative journalist - and his current role at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport as project leader of the CoronaCheck app (9/11, The CoronaCheck app and Edward Snowden: Insights from Brenno de Winter | Cyber Security District) (9/11, The CoronaCheck app and Edward Snowden: Insights from Brenno de Winter | Cyber Security District). De Winter shares insights on the DigiNotar hack, Snowden’s impact, and offers tips for young security professionals, among others. (Cyber Security District Podcast, 13 Aug 2024)
- 27 July 2024 - Follow the Money: Investigative article “If your bank thinks you’re a fraudster, you may not know why “ documents how Bunq blocked Brenno de Winter’s bank accounts on suspicion of money laundering risk. Despite De Winter providing all the requested data within the deadline, Bunq refused to provide insight into why he was labelled as “medium risk “. De Winter therefore filed a lawsuit in early 2024 to get clarification (If your bank thinks you’re a fraudster, you may not know why - Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism) (If your bank thinks you’re a fraudster, you may not know why - Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism). (FTM, Jul 27, 2024)
- 22 Jan 2024 - Telegraph (Domestic): “The pros and cons of a digital identity: ‘Similar to a passport’.” Article in the Five Questions section in which ICT expert Brenno de Winter explains what a digital identity entails, following a plea from Queen Máxima (The pros and cons of a digital identity: ‘Similar to a passport’ | Interior | Telegraaf.co.uk) (The pros and cons of a digital identity: ‘Similar to a passport’ | Interior | Telegraaf.co.uk).
- 22 January 2024 - New European legislation forces companies to improve cyber security
Brenno de Winter explains the impact of the NIS2 directive and the obligations for companies to increase their digital resilience. - 15 January 2024 - FTM: “Profile Brenno de Winter” Follow the Money outlines a comprehensive profile of Brenno de Winter and his role within the Dutch cybersecurity community.
2023
- 12 November 2023 - Digital threat grows: how vulnerable are we?
In an interview with EenVandaag, Brenno de Winter discusses the growing threat of cyber attacks and the role of the government in protecting essential infrastructure. - June 21, 2023 - FTM: “Question marks over Kaspersky” A critical look at the use of Kaspersky antivirus software in the Netherlands, with input from cybersecurity expert Brenno de Winter.
- 15 May 2023 - Computable: ‘Judge: Hof van Twente itself guilty of hacking’ Brenno de Winter analyses the ruling that Hof van Twente had its own IT security inadequately in order, leading to a ransomware attack.
- March 17, 2023 - Data loss at municipalities: ‘Unacceptable and unnecessary’
Brenno de Winter reacts to news of data breaches at Dutch municipalities and argues for better security measures and stricter compliance with the AVG.
2022
- 12 October 2022 - FTM: “Why is the NZa refusing to release key healthcare data?” Brenno de Winter analyses why the Dutch Healthcare Authority will not release crucial healthcare data and the implications for transparency and supervision.
- 9 September 2022 - Major hack exposes weaknesses in Dutch hospitals
Brenno de Winter explains why hospitals are an attractive target for hackers and what steps are needed to better protect patient data. - 21 February 2022 - Netherlands inadequately prepared for cyberwar
In this episode, De Winter discusses the digital threat from foreign actors and the vulnerability of the Netherlands in a potential cyberwar.
2021
- December 14, 2021 - How secure is the CoronaCheck app?
Brenno de Winter provides insight into the privacy and security aspects of the CoronaCheck app and how it is designed to prevent misuse. - 27 June 2021 - Digital identities: a blessing or a curse?
Winter discusses the rise of digital identities and their impact on privacy and freedom of citizens. - March 5, 2021 - FTM: “Gerard Sanderink and Rian van Rijbroek” Brenno de Winter is quoted in an article about Rian van Rijbroek’s influence on entrepreneur Gerard Sanderink and the impact on his businesses.
2020
- 23 Nov 2020 - BNR News Radio: “Sharp rise in facial recognition cameras, AP capacity falls short.” News item on the growing number of cameras with facial recognition. Security and privacy expert Brenno de Winter warns that camera images should only be used in very special cases (Sharp increase in cameras with facial recognition - Dagblad070).
- 18 Nov 2020 - Telegraph (Inland): “Wob experts furious over redacted report in benefits scandal.” Leon Brandsema reports that an explosive part of an internal opinion in the benefits scandal has been deleted. This meets with incomprehension among experts; wob specialist Brenno de Winter frowns at the explanation for the deleting (Wob experts furious over omission in report benefits affair | Interior | Telegraaf.nl).
- October 5, 2020 - Cyber attack on universities: ‘We could have seen this coming’
Brenno de Winter analyses how a major cyber attack hit Dutch universities and what lessons can be learned. - 8 September 2020 - NRC Handelsblad: Article “Corona app is virtuous, says former critic De Winter “. IT expert and former journalist Brenno de Winter - once one of the loudest critics of the CoronaMelder app - declares in NRC that the government has “done the maximum to make the CoronaMelder secure “. De Winter, who joined the app team as a consultant in May 2020, now rates the app positively in terms of privacy and security (Corona app is virtuous, says former critic De Winter - NRC). (NRC, Sep 08, 2020)
- June 7, 2020 - NPO Radio 1 (Dit is de Dag): Brenno de Winter says in an interview that the government’s corona app is already having an effect if 20% of the population uses it (Brenno de Winter: ‘corona app government effective at 20% usage’ | NPO Radio 1). In the broadcast (EO), De Winter explains that it was initially thought that 60% was needed, but new research shows that at ~20% use, the app already has an impact on containing new fires.
- 19 April 2020 - The privacy challenges of a corona app
In this episode, De Winter discusses concerns surrounding the introduction of a corona app and how to balance public health and privacy. - 19 April 2020 - Computable: Article “Citizens’ initiative for alternative corona app “ reports that a group of experts - including privacy specialist Brenno de Winter - have distanced themselves from the corona app selection process during the ministry’s so-called “appathon”. De Winter criticises the unclear purpose and flawed criteria: solutions were allegedly allowed without even a single line of code, and expert opinions were ignored (Citizen initiative for alternative corona app - Computable.nl) (Citizen initiative for alternative corona app - Computable.nl). His criticism led to the creation of an open-source alternative from the community. (Computable, 19 Apr 2020)
- apr. 2020 - Villamedia: “Criticaster Brenno de Winter hired for corona app.” Villamedia reports that former journalist De Winter has been brought in by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport as an advisor for the development of the corona app (Criticaster Brenno de Winter hired for corona app - Villamedia). (De Winter was critical of the project at first, but later went on to help make the app secure and privacy-friendly.)
2019
- 3 Jun 2019 - NPO Radio 1 (De Nieuws BV, BNNVARA): “Privacy law AVG exists one year: is it working?” Discussion on Radio 1 about one year of the General Data Protection Regulation. Presenter Willemijn Veenhoven talks to two experts, Brenno de Winter and D66 MP Kees Verhoeven, about the effectiveness of the privacy law one year after its introduction (Privacy law AVG celebrates one year: is it working? With Kees Verhoeven and Brenno de Winter | NPO Radio 1).
- 20 Feb 2019 - NPO Radio 1 (EenVandaag, AVROTROS): “The Optimist: Brenno de Winter.” In this feature on Radio EenVandaag, Brenno de Winter is interviewed as an “optimist” (The Optimist: Brenno de Winter | NPO Radio 1). De Winter - journalist of the year 2011 for his OV-chipkaart research - sees opportunities for travellers now that the OV-chipkaart is nearing its end and new payment systems for public transport are being discussed.
2018
- 24 Oct 2018 - Telegraaf (Inside): “Civil servant who cheated De Telegraaf sacked.” Mike Muller and Jan-Willem Navis report that the municipality of Amsterdam fired a lawyer after a wrongful decision on a Wob request by De Telegraaf (Official who cheated The Telegraph sacked | Interior | Telegraaf.nl). In reviewing that decision, Wob experts Kaj Hollemans and Brenno de Winter found that the legal requirements had not been followed, after which the decision was withdrawn.
- 5 Apr 2018 - Villamedia: “On the government’s radar.” Article (April 2018) in which Brenno de Winter describes how he was watched by government agencies (Brenno de Winter - Villamedia). (Villamedia highlights here that De Winter’s research on government security has put him on the government’s “radar”).
- 2 Feb 2018 - Telegraph (Domestic): “‘Nieuwsuur cyber expert’ responds to commotion.” Message following the much-discussed Nieuwsuur broadcast featuring self-proclaimed cyber expert Rian van Rijbroek. IT expert Brenno de Winter also could not believe his eyes at van Rijbroek’s appearance: “Took a while to get the tears out of my eyes,” De Winter said in his online reaction (‘News Hour test expert’ responds to commotion | Interior | Telegraaf.nl).
- February 2, 2018 - De Telegraaf: Article "‘Nieuwsuur cyber expert’ responds to commotion “ quotes Brenno de Winter in response to Rian van Rijbroek’s controversial Nieuwsuur appearance. De Winter could not believe his eyes at the self-proclaimed cyber expert’s claims and joked on Twitter: “Took a while to get the tears out of my eyes. “ (GeenStijl: ‘Cyber’ teller @Nieuwsuur causes ROFLOL) His sharp reaction underlined experts’ criticism of the interview. (Telegraph, 02 Feb 2018)
2017
- November 3, 2017 - Why are Dutch hospitals still so vulnerable to cyber attacks?
Brenno de Winter discusses hospital security risks and the need for better IT infrastructure.
2016
- 8 September 2016 - Increase in digital fraud: how big is the problem?
Brenno de Winter analyses the rapid growth of cybercrime and how consumers can guard against it.
2015
- 25 Sep 2015 - Villamedia: “Plasterk wants to watch.” News report on then-minister Ronald Plasterk wanting more access to intelligence operations. Villamedia quotes Brenno de Winter in the context of criticism of government plans for surveillance (Brenno de Winter - Villamedia).
- 18 Feb 2015 - BNR News Radio (BNR Digital): Broadcast “Digital radio and Brenno de Winter on mega bank hack. “ Brenno de Winter points out a major bank hack in which hackers captured hundreds of millions (News - Digital | BNR News Radio). (In February 2015, it was revealed that an international hacker group had robbed banks - De Winter explains the technical aspects and risks on BNR).
2014
- 31 Dec 2013 - BNR News Radio: “‘NSA spying goes even further than we thought’.” IT journalist Brenno de Winter looks back at that year’s Snowden revelations and argues that NSA spying is even more extensive than thought (‘NSA spying goes much further than we thought’ | BNR …). (BNR Politics, 31 Dec 2013 - De Winter points out implications of NSA affair).
- nov. 2014 - YouTube (CIODAY 2014): “CIODAY 2014 - interview Brenno de Winter, hacker.” Interview with Brenno de Winter at CIO Day 2014, in which he talks about cybersecurity trends as a “hacker” (CIODAY 2014 - interview Brenno de Winter, hacker - YouTube). (Posted on YouTube by Rob Beijleveld; De Winter shares insights from the annual IT leadership event CIO Day 2014.)
- 16 August 2014 - VPRO Argos (Radio 1): In the summer series “Lice in the Fur “ of investigative programme Argos, Brenno de Winter is a guest for an extensive interview about his work. The broadcast discusses how De Winter is seen as a louse in the fur with his revelations about government ICT - for example, internal warnings circulated within the police in early 2014 to watch out for him (craftsmanship - VPRO). In the interview, De Winter talks about his motivations since he entered journalism after 11 September 2001 out of concern for civil rights (craftsmanship - VPRO). (VPRO Argos, Radio 1, 16 Aug 2014)
- 12 June 2013 - EenVandaag: “NSA spying revealed: what does it mean for the Netherlands?” Explaining the Snowden disclosures and the implications for privacy and national security.
- 3 June 2014 - ThePostOnline: Article “Marechaussee did not want Brenno de Winter to write about NSS summit “ reveals attempts by authorities to thwart De Winters work. Police information (obtained via De Winters Wob request) shows that prior to the Nuclear Security Summit 2014, the Royal Military Police distributed a “nationwide slide “ to warn all services about De Winter, with the aim of making it impossible for him to work (Censorship: State police did not want Brenno de Winter to write about NSS summit | TPO.NL). Also around that time, De Winters’ personal details (including passport photo and date of birth) were circulated internally to police and ministries, and he was actually watched while working on a column in The Hague (Censorship: State police did not want Brenno de Winter to write about NSS summit | TPO.NL). These revelations led to D66 and SP parliamentary questions on press freedom. (TPO, 03 Jun 2014) March 31, 2014 - Telegraph (Domestic): “De Winter wants police top officers to be heard.” News report that investigative journalist Brenno de Winter has applied for a preliminary witness hearing to hear top officials of the National Police under oath (De Winter wants police top to be heard | Interior | Telegraaf.co.uk). Not content with mere apologies after his personal details were wrongly circulated, De Winter wanted to find out who was responsible for an internal campaign against him.
- 12 Apr 2013 - BNR News Radio: “Brenno de Winter attacks himself.” In a live broadcast, De Winter demonstrates how easy it is to carry out a DDoS attack (Read Also - Villamedia). The IT journalist buys access to a botnet via an anonymous prepaid card and shows how he single-handedly takes down a website - a high-profile move to make the dangers of cybercrime transparent (broadcast around 12 April 2013).
- 3 Mar 2014 - Telegraph (Domestic): “‘I want to know who is doing this to me’.” Investigative journalist Brenno de Winter is responding to revelations that police and the Interior Ministry circulated his private details (such as home address and date of birth) internally (‘I want to know who is doing this to me’ | Interior | Telegraph.co.uk). De Winter does not accept the apology blindly: “I don’t think you can start a smear campaign, say ‘sorry’ and then move on… I want to know where this is coming from and who is doing this to me. “
2013
- 12 June 2013 - NSA spying revealed: what does it mean for the Netherlands?
Brenno de Winter explains the Snowden disclosures and the implications for privacy and national security. - 6 March 2013 - Various media (including Villamedia/NVJ) report that the Team High Tech Crime (THTC) called Brenno de Winter as a witness in the investigation into the 2012 hack at the Groene Hart Hospital. However, De Winter refused to appear, saying he had obtained information from the hacker under source protection. He indicated that he would not disclose his sources, a position he was entitled to take as a journalist (News archive). The issue led to expressions of support from journalists’ union NVJ and questions in the House of Representatives on press freedom.
- 8 Feb 2013 - Villamedia: “Wob ruling…”. Villamedia reports on an important ruling around the Public Access Act (Brenno de Winter - Villamedia). (This article quotes Brenno de Winter for his involvement in Wob cases, possibly in the context of a lawsuit De Winter was involved in to get government information made public).
2012
- 8 Nov 2012 - Telegraph (Domestic): “Fake ID accepted everywhere.” Research by journalist Brenno de Winter shows serious failings in identity card checks (Fake ID accepted everywhere | Domestic | Telegraph.co.uk). De Winter walked around with a forged ID for months and was stopped almost nowhere - his findings on these failing ID checks made wide headlines at the time.
- October 25, 2012 - Documentary: Director Peter Vlemmix’s film “Panopticon “ premieres. This documentary about the rise of the surveillance state in the Netherlands features Brenno de Winter as an expert, alongside others such as Alexander Klöpping, Inez Weski and professor Bart Jacobs. De Winter shares his insights on privacy and surveillance in the digital age (Waag | Film @ Waag: PANOPTICON premiering) (Waag | Film @ Waag: PANOPTICON premiering). (YouTube premiere, 25 Oct 2012)
- October 8, 2012 - Government data breaches: policy failure?
This broadcast discusses how the government deals with data breaches. Brenno de Winter warns that too little is being done to protect citizens.
2011
- 12 December 2011 - Villamedia proclaims Brenno de Winter as “Journalist of the Year 2011”. He receives this award because of his scoops on OV-chipkaart fraud and the poor security of (government) websites. Earlier that year, De Winter had used a manipulated OV-chipkaart to demonstrate how easy it was to travel for free, after which he was briefly questioned by the criminal investigation department. In the end, the Public Prosecution Service waived prosecution (Journalist of the Year 2011: Brenno de Winter - VVOJ - Association of Investigative Journalists). (Villamedia/VVOJ, Dec 12, 2011)
- 12 Dec 2011 - Villamedia: ** Brenno de Winter named Journalist of the Year 2011. Trade magazine Villamedia (of the NVJ) awarded the title to De Winter because of his scoops around the unsafe OV-chipkaart and numerous revelations of data breaches (Brenno de Winter - Managementboek.nl). (This award - announced on 12 Dec 2011 - put IT journalism on the map and confirmed De Winters’ status as a leading investigative journalist in the tech field).
- 17 October 2011 - Landgraaf municipality: Mayor Raymond Vlecken is abandoning legal action against Brenno de Winter, who shortly before had exposed that Landgraaf’s municipal website was seriously leaked. The municipality says it is convinced that De Winter will not disclose citizens’ privacy-sensitive information (Landgraaf wants to talk to investigative journalist). Earlier, the mayor had threatened to take De Winter to court if he disclosed data from the captured backup. Now they are opting for consultation with the journalist instead of a court case. (ANP/ Landgraaf, Oct 17, 2011)
- 14 October 2011 - Landgraaf municipality: The municipality of Landgraaf is issuing an ultimatum to Brenno de Winter following a data breach he discovered. Mayor Vlecken is threatening to take the investigative journalist to court if he discloses data he “plucked from an outdated municipality backup server last weekend” (Landgraaf wants to talk to investigative journalist). This conflict - in which De Winter actually raised a security problem - is causing discussion about the role of ethical hackers and whistleblowers. (ANP/ Landgraaf, Oct 14, 2011)
- 8 September 2011 - Public Prosecution: The OM announces that investigative journalist Brenno de Winter will not be criminally prosecuted for hacking/misusing the OV chip card (News: De Winter not prosecuted for cracking ov-chipcard | National Computer Forum). De Winter’s actions had exposed the weaknesses of the public transport system. Justice ruled that the social importance of his disclosures outweighed breaking the law for testing purposes, and dismissed the case. (OM press release / NOS, 08 Sep 2011)
- 3 September 2011 - EenVandaag: “Security leaks in OV-chipcard: how easy is fraud?” Research by Brenno de Winter shows how easy the OV-chipkaart can be manipulated.
- 2011 - NOS / NRC / various media: News around Brenno de Winter’s OV-chipkaart investigation. In 2011, De Winter managed to show how the OV-chipkaart could be cracked (allowing balance to be increased without paying). He became the subject of a criminal investigation for fraud, but the prosecutor ultimately decided not to prosecute because exposing the security weakness was in the public interest (Journalist walks free after cracking ov-chip - NOS). This OV-chipcard scoop led to wide media coverage and contributed to De Winter becoming Journalist of the Year.