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“This did not happen in China, but in the Netherlands,” he added. The surprise echoed in the words of Saskia Bricmont, a Belgian MEP for the Greens, in the debate over the allowance issue in the Netherlands.

This debate was on the agenda of the European Parliament on Wednesday evening. In the first place, it may seem strange that a Dutch issue is being discussed in Strasbourg, but politicians say there are lessons to be learned from this issue for other EU countries.

For example, Samira Rafaela, a member of the European Parliament at the D66, put questions to the European Commission on the issue of the allowance last year. In tonight’s debate, she also noted that the Netherlands has been breaking European and international laws, for example through its controversial tax and customs administration algorithm.

Raffaella is pleased that this topic is now being taken up in the European arena. “As a member of the European Union, you not only have lusts. You also have a duty to look after your residents,” she says. According to her, there is ample reason for the commission to start the so-called trespassing procedure and the Netherlands toes.

European Commissioner for Equality Helena Daly attended the discussion. According to her, the advantages scandal exposed the danger of racial profiling, but the Dutch government is now working to correct these mistakes.

However, this does not seem to alleviate the main concerns of most MEPs. Many countries operate with algorithms and Europol also uses software to track criminals. “Every corner of the EU should be safe for citizens, regardless of the color of their hair or skin,” said Evin Enser, MEP for Sweden’s Social Democrats.

According to MEPs, the Commission must do two things. For example, it is necessary to better verify whether countries are doing everything they can to address discrimination. In addition, the errors of the wildcard case must also be included in the new law that must monitor artificial intelligence.

Some MEPs argue that the data should not be used in investigations. Other members of the European Parliament, such as Agnes Jongerius of the PvdA, argue that people’s dual citizenship should not be included in the data.

European Commissioner Daly closed the debate and emphasized that mistakes in the Netherlands were finally noticed. The commission will continue to monitor whether the affected parents will be compensated in the near future.