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☆ Dutch court finds Facebook misused data in class action suit
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Personal information was given to third parties without Facebook users being informed and without there being a legal basis to do so." The decision was directed at Facebook Ireland because it is the part of the company that oversees the processing of Dutch user data. A spokesperson for the plaintiff, Data Privacy Stichting, said the group now hopes to sit down with Facebook to negotiate a settlement. "We think this is a very strong signal not only to Facebook but to all companies that are unrightfully using their users' data." The Data Privacy group was launched in 2020 as a partnership between a group of law firms and the Dutch Consumers' Association to try to seek damages.

☆ Dutch farmers, climate activists get ready for pre-election protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Farmer say the government plans to limit nitrogen pollution would lead to the closure of many livestock farms and reduced fertilizer use. Similar protests were held by farmers in Belgium this month against a regional government plan to limit nitrogen emissions. Police said in a statement they had begun intercepting farmers attempting to enter the city on tractors and turning them away. The Farmers Defence Force group leading the farmers' demonstration, which has city approval, has encouraged people to arrive by bus. Environmentalists led by the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion say they plan to block traffic on a thoroughfare near parliament in an unauthorised demonstration likely to lead to arrests.

The possible investments are part of a wider, long-term strategy to reduce exposure to China, two people familiar with the plan told Reuters. ASML's lithography systems can cost up to 160 million euros ($170 million) each and are used to create the circuitry of computer chips. The Dutch government on Wednesday announced new restrictionson exports impacting ASML's second-best range of chip-printing tools, which could lead to Chinese retaliation. Among the companies on the mission is Neways, which helps ASML develop electrical control units, power controls and wiring systems for lithography systems, according to the company's website. ASML supplier NTS Group, which is a provider of precision mechanics tools, is another company that will join the business trip, Brainport said.

☆ Dutch trade minister: China protest over export rules is 'understandable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

STOCKHOLM/AMSTERDAM, March 9 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' Trade Minister said a Chinese protest over the Dutch decision to impose restrictions on computer chip technology exports was "understandable", but on Thursday said she expected diplomatic relations would remain good. Liesje Schreinemacher was speaking in Stockholm after the Netherlands said on Wednesday it would follow the U.S. in imposing stricter export rules. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Dutch rules would "limit normal economic and trade exchanges between Chinese and Dutch companies". Asked whether Dutch restrictions, which are expected to be in place by this summer, will actually be more lax than comparable U.S. restrictions imposed on its own companies last year, she avoided the comparison. Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Writing by Toby Sterling; Editing by Alex Richardson and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ ASML, China customers haunted by uncertainty on new Dutch chip export rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Tosterling Philip Blenkinsop | Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The "installed base" segment contributed about 25% of ASML's worldwide revenue in 2022. ING analyst Marc Hesselink calculated that the new Dutch rules could possibly affect products that account for 10% of ASML's worldwide sales. The Chinese may have a competitive advantage there, and ASML's sales in China could even grow modestly. Regardless, ASML will thrive outside China in the long run as chipmakers worldwide expand capacity, he said. "The demand for ASML machines is not going to be impacted, it's simply going to shift to a different region," he said.

March 8 (Reuters) - The Dutch government is set to inform parliament as soon as Wednesday that it plans to draft additional rules restricting exports of semiconductor technology to protect national security, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The move follows months of discussions between the Netherlands, the U.S. and Japan, in which Washington has tried to get allies to adopt similar restrictions to those it introduced in October aimed at hobbling China's ability to make semiconductors and to slow its military advances. Reporting by Toby Sterling Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/5] The logo of Nord Stream AG is seen at an office building in the town of Vyborg, Leningrad Region, Russia August 22, 2022. Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, each consisting of two pipes, were built by Russia's state-controlled Gazprom to pump 110 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas a year to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Three of the pipes were ruptured by unexplained blasts in September, and one of the Nord Stream 2 pipes remains intact. Engie (ENGIE.PA), Gasunie (GSUNI.UL) and Wintershall DEA (WINT.UL) (BASFn.DE) - stakeholders in Nord Stream AG, the operator of Nord Stream 1 - declined to comment. The similar-sized Nord Stream 2 had been completed in September 2021 as tensions with Russia were growing and ran in trouble as Germany's regulators refused to certify it.

☆ Just Eat Takeaway swings to small 2022 core profit, sees better 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, March 1 (Reuters) - Just Eat Takeaway.com (TKWY.AS), Europe's largest meals delivery company, swung to a small 2022 core profit on Wednesday and said it was targeting 225 million euros of core profit this year. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in 2022 stood at 19 million euros ($20.13 million), compared with a loss of 350 million euros in 2021. Jefferies said in a note that Wednesday's report showed most of the company's EBITDA, 313 million euros worth, came from Northern Europe. Revenue was 5.56 billion euros, up from 4.50 billion euros a year earlier, and net loss was 5.67 billion euros, up from a loss of 1.04 billion euros. The company ended the year with just over 2 billion euros in cash.

REUTERS/Cole Burston/File PhotoFeb 24 (Reuters) - Airports are taking steps to avoid gridlock during the upcoming holiday travel seasons, with some limiting flights during peak hours to avoid the long lines and luggage piles that marred last summer. While smoother holiday travel is expected for Europe and North America, airlines and airports which learned tough lessons on holiday travel in 2022, are taking a more prudent approach as global traffic rebounds roughly to pre-pandemic levels. Despite extensive planning and hiring this year, some airlines and airports are still wrestling with industry staff shortages, including baggage handlers. Germany's Lufthansa AG (LHAG.DE) said it has cut summer flights by an unspecified amount due to shortages of personnel like ground handlers at airports in Frankfurt and Munich. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency were not immediately available to comment on staffing.

☆ Bill Gates buys Heineken stake, despite saying he's 'not a big beer drinker'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Microsoft founder Bill Gates reacts during a visit with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the Imperial College University, in London, Britain, February 15, 2023. Justin Tallis//Pool via REUTERSAMSTERDAM, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Bill Gates has bought 3.76% stake in Dutch drinks giant Heineken Holding NV (HEIO.AS), although the billionaire founder of Microsoft has previously said he was "not a big beer drinker." Heineken Holding owns a controlling stake in brewer Heineken NV (HEIN.AS). A separate filing also dated Feb. 17 showed FEMSA sold all 18 million shares it held in Heineken Holding. Gates purchased 10.8 million shares, worth 883 million euros ($939.87 million) at current market prices, triggering a disclosure requirement under Dutch stock market rules.

☆ Dutch watchdog decides against fine after Tesla alters security cameras
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Tesla Inc FollowAMSTERDAM, Feb 22 (Reuters) - The Dutch personal data watchdog said on Wednesday it would not fine Tesla Inc. (TSLA.O) over possible privacy violations after the U.S. carmaker made changes to vehicle security cameras. Tesla uses such cameras in its cars to help owners protect them against theft or vandalism, but the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) investigated them as a potential violation. The agency said Tesla had made changes to its "Sentry Mode" feature in which the cameras are activated since the DPA investigation began. The agency said as a result, the car's owners, rather than Tesla, would be legally responsible for improper filming. "The DPA's investigation has not resulted in a fine or other sanction for Tesla," it said.

☆ US issues declaration on responsible use of AI in the military
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

AMSTERDAM, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Thursday issued a declaration on the responsible use of artficial intelligence (AI) in the military, which would include "human accountability." "We invite all states to join us in implementing international norms, as it pertains to military development and use of AI" and autononous weapons, said Bonnie Jenkins, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control. Jenkins was speaking at an international summit on responsible use of military AI in The Hague, Netherlands, the first of its kind. Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S., China, other nations urge 'responsible' use of military AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

However, the statement was a tangible outcome of the first international summit on military AI, co-hosted by the Netherlands and South Korea this week at The Hague. Signatories said they were committed to developing and using military AI in accordance with "international legal obligations and in a way that does not undermine international security, stability and accountability." Under Secretary of State for Arms Control Bonnie Jenkins put forward a U.S. framework for responsible military AI use. China representative Jian Tan told the summit that countries should "oppose seeking absolute military advantage and hegemony through AI" and work through the United Nations. "It paves the path for states to develop AI for military purposes in any way they see fit as long as they can say it is 'responsible'," she said.

☆ ASML: trade war risks increasing, but no 2023 impact on China sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Feb 15 (Reuters) - ASML Holding NV (ASML.AS) on Wednesday warned growing global trade and export controls pose a threat to its business, but it does not expect new restrictions on exports to China to affect 2023 earnings. Curbs imposed by the Dutch government under pressure from the U.S. have prevented ASML from selling its most advanced machines to China since 2019. "Such developments, including the drive for technological sovereignty, could also lead to long-term changes in global trade, competition and technology supply chains, which could adversely affect our business and growth prospects," ASML said. "We do not expect these measures to have a material effect on our expectations for 2023." Last month ASML forecast a 25% rise in sales for 2023 with sales to China steady at about 2.2 billion euros, or 14% of 2021 revenue.

☆ Ukraine war shows urgency of military AI, Palantir CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Tosterling Stephanie Van Den Berg | Stephanie Van Den Berg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Ukraine's effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) to target Russian forces has pushed the technology onto the agenda of military and political leaders around the world, the CEO of U.S. software firm Palantir (PLTR.N) said on Wednesday. Speaking at the first international summit on responsible military use of AI, CEO Alex Karp said use of AI in war has moved from a "highly erudite ethics discussion" to a top concern since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. "This has now shifted to: your ability to identify the right technology and implement it will determine what happens on the battlefield," he said. "One of the major things we need to do in the West, is realise this lesson is completely understood by China and Russia." Karp has previously said that Planatir is "responsible for most of the targeting in Ukraine", with the company citing the examples of tanks and artillery.

☆ Dutch host first summit on 'responsible' use of AI in the military
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Tosterling Stephanie Van Den Berg | Stephanie Van Den Berg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We're taking the first step in articulating and working toward what responsible use of AI in the military will be." The event may be an early step toward someday developing an international arms treaty on AI, though that is seen as far off. Some 2,000 people including experts and academics are attending a conference alongside the summit, with discussion topics including killer drones and slaughter bots. Hoekstra said the summit will not replace that debate but will look at other aspects of military AI. Examples include definition of terms, how AI could safely be used to accelerate decision-making in a military context, and how it could be used to identify legitimate targets.

☆ Largest ever exhibition of Vermeer paintings to open in Amsterdam
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A man looks at Vermeer's painting 'The Milkmaid' at an exhibition bringing together 28 works by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer at the Rijksmusuem in Amsterdam, Netherlands February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de WouwAMSTERDAM, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Twenty eight paintings by Johannes Vermeer go on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam this week, the largest ever exhibition of works of the 17th-century Dutch master, known for his expertise at rendering light and intimate household scenes. "What's quite striking when you look at Vermeer is that in his paintings, it's mostly women who are the protagonists," said curator Pieter Roelofs, noting Vermeer had seven daughters. Artists and scholars dispute whether Vermeer may have made use of a 'camera obscura', a forerunner of the modern photocamera. Roelofs said Vermeer's works are more than something a good eye and skilled hand can create.

☆ Netherlands, Denmark and Germany buy 100 Leopard 1 Tanks for Ukraine - Dutch gov't
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

THE HAGUE, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany are buying 100 Leopard-1A5 battle tanks for Ukraine, the Dutch government said on Tuesday. The Dutch defense ministry said in a statement the tanks would be purchased "directly from German industry". In an interview on Dutch national broadcaster NOS, Netherlands Defense Minister Kasja Ollongen said the tanks, a slightly older model, are "definitely still useable" for fighting in Ukraine. "It's a tested tank, and because they're being tuned up and made ready for fighting, they will definitely be useful for the Ukrainians," she said. Reporting by Bart Meijer and Toby Sterling, writing by GV De Clercq, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ ING profits grow, bad loans fall, CEO sees margins improving
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Core lending growth was a modest 3.1 billion euros, down from 13.4 billion euros in the fourth quarter of 2021. Interest margins were 1.36% versus 1.37% a year ago, but Van Rijswijk said they should improve in 2023. Analysts had forecast net profit at 1.03 billion euros according to data from Refinitiv, up from 945 million euros in the fourth quarter of 2021. Loan loss provisions of 269 million were down 22% from 346 million euros a year ago. Total income rose 5% to 4.87 billion euros thanks to higher rates, offset by lower fees and commissions.

☆ ASML: Steps made towards deal on curbing exports to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

THE HAGUE, Jan 28 (Reuters) - ASML Holding NV (ASML.AS) said on Saturday it understood progress had been made towards an agreement among several governments on new restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports to China. ASML, a key supplier to chipmakers, has been restricted from selling its most advanced tools to China since 2019. Tensions between the United States and China over semiconductors have steadily worsened since then, prompting Washington in October to impose export restrictions on its own chip manufacturing equipment companies. "It is our understanding that steps have been made towards an agreement between governments which, to our understanding, will be focused on advanced chip manufacturing technology, including but not limited to advanced lithography tools," ASML said. Its statement follows a Bloomberg report on Friday that said the United States, Japan and the Netherlands had reached an agreement following months of talks.

☆ Dutch PM Rutte: may not disclose result of U.S. chip export control talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday that it is not clear whether his government will disclose the result of ongoing talks with the U.S. over new export restrictions for the semiconductor industry. A Dutch delegation is in the U.S. on Friday for talks. "Those talks have been going on for a long time and we're not saying anything about it," Rutte said. Asked whether ASML would not need to be informed of the decision in order to implement new restrictions, Rutte said government communications with the company "are also private." Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Toby Sterling, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. secures deal with Netherlands, Japan on China chip export limit- Bloomberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan addresses the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The United States has secured a deal with the Netherlands and Japan to restrict exports of some advanced chip-making machinery to China in talks that concluded on Friday, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Officials from the Netherlands and Japan were in Washington discussing a wide range of issues in talks led by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, earlier said the officials were talking about issues that are "important to all three of us." When asked about the Bloomberg report, the White House declined to comment beyond Kirby's earlier remarks.

☆ Dutch central bank fines cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase 3.3 mln euros
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMSTERDAM, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The Dutch central bank (DNB) has fined U.S. cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN.O) 3.3 million euros ($3.6 million) for failing to obtain the correct registration in the Netherlands before offering services. Cryptocurrency companies operating in the Netherlands have been obliged to register as money transmitters under the country's anti-money laundering rules since May 2020. The DNB said Coinbase was out of compliance between November 2020 and "at least" August 2022, before it successfully registered on Sept. 22, 2022. During that period "a large number of unusual transactions may have gone unnoticed by the investigative authorities", it said. The DNB said it had taken into consideration that Coinbase was one of the largest cryptocurrency companies and had a "significant number of customers in the Netherlands".

☆ ASML beats earnings forecasts, sees 2023 growth amid China worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It said its order backlog had grown to a record 40 billion euros ($43.62 billion) at the end of the year. ""We just have to wait for the governments and the politicians to keep talking and come to a reasonable solution (on possible restrictions)," Wennink said. The company had China sales worth 2.16 billion euros in 2022 accounting for 14% of its total revenue. Veldhoven, Netherlands-based ASML reported fourth-quarter net profit of 1.82 billion euros, up from 1.77 billion a year earlier, on revenue of 6.43 billion euros. That beat analyst forecasts for a net profit of 1.70 billion euros on sales of 6.38 billion, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.

☆ ASML Q4 net profit $1.98 bln, sees sales up 25% in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VELDHOVEN, Netherlands, Jan 25 (Reuters) - ASML Holding NV (ASML.AS), an equipment supplier to computer chip makers, on Wednesday reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and forecast sales growth of more than 25% in 2023. But Wennink said that so far "nothing has changed" since the U.S. imposed new export restrictions on its own companies in October. The Veldhoven, Netherlands based firm reported fourth-quarter net profit of 1.82 billion euros, up from net profit of 1.77 billion euros in the same period a year earlier, on revenue of 6.43 billion euros. Analysts had forecast net profit of 1.70 billion euros on sales of 6.38 billion euros, according to Refinitiv data. ($1 = 0.9169 euros)Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Tom Hogue and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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