Data leak simple explanation

You have received a letter about the "datalek persoonsgegevens deelnemers bevolkingsonderzoek baarmoederhalskanker". ("Data leak of personal data on participants in cervical cancer screening"). You are receiving this letter because your data may have been stolen. Below is a summary of this letter in simple language.

Summary: letter from Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland

Subject: your data may have been stolen

You took part in the screening programme for cervical cancer, by using a self-test or having a smear test (Pap smear). Your test was examined at the Clinical Diagnostics NMDL laboratory. Unfortunately, this lab was targeted by hackers, who broke into the computer system.

Your data may have been stolen. We do not know for sure at this time. Our apologies that this happened. We are temporarily no longer working with this lab. We are investigating what happened. In addition, we are looking into how we can better protect your data from now on. 

What data is involved?
The data we shared with the lab:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your gender
  • Type of test (self-test or smear test)
  • Test result
  • The name of your GP

The citizen service number (BSN) of some participants was also shared. We do not know exactly what data was stolen.

What can you do? 
Stay alert:

  • Do not click on links in e-mails or text messages if you are not sure who they are from.
  • Check if a phone call or message is real. Call the organisation directly if you are not sure.
  • Go to www.rijksoverheid.nl/datalek-en-nu for more tips.

Still have questions? Call us: 0800-1617, Monday-Friday, 8:30-17:00 hrs. Or e-mail: vragenBMHK@bevolkingsonderzoeknederland.nl.