Headlines December
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Arrests at Damen for circumventing Russian sanctions in shipbuilding project
Two directors of shipbuilder Damen Shipyards have been arrested on suspicion of “deliberately and intentionally” violating Russian sanctions in a major shipbuilding project for crab fishing. The company itself has also been designated as a suspect. This concerns the project that Nieuwsuur revealed last year, in which hundreds of European parts ended up in Russia. A press release from the FIOD (Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service) shows that the suspicion concerns sanctions evasion from the fall of 2022 onwards. Damen allegedly supplied goods by using circumvention countries. It was previously reported that the FIOD raided the home of former CEO Kommer Damen yesterday, which is also related to the sanctions violations. The former CEO was not arrested.
Via Turkey and Hong Kong
Nieuwsuur's investigation revealed that, despite the export ban in force since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian shipyards managed to obtain parts for the crab boats via Turkey and Hong Kong. At least some of the parts appear to come from Damen itself: three manufacturers say they recognize their parts in the analysis of two databases containing import data—and that these parts were supplied exclusively to Damen in the Netherlands. Nieuwsuur spoke to a total of ten manufacturers of parts for the ships. One of them is the German company Schottel, which makes propellers that propel the ships. When confronted with the data, the company said: “The logistical route for deliveries runs exclusively through Damen.”
'In line with the sanctions'
At the time, Damen was unable to explain how the products ended up in Russia. The company says it has not sent any more shipments to Russia since the sanctions came into force. And the company “believes it has acted in full compliance with the sanctions.” Damen Shipyards informed Nieuwsuur today that the FIOD also visited Damen's head office in Gorinchem yesterday. “Damen is cooperating fully with the investigation by all competent authorities and reiterates that it has always acted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
Damen Shipyards
The family-owned Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem is the largest shipbuilding company in the Netherlands. The company has 35 shipyards in 20 countries and employs 12,000 people. Damen builds fishing vessels, push boats, and tugboats, among other things. The company builds naval vessels for the Netherlands and five other NATO countries. In addition to construction, Damen also designs ships and supplies parts. Last year, the company had a turnover of 3 billion euros. In October, the FIOD also raided air conditioning supplier Heinen & Hopman. The company from Bunschoten-Spakenburg was one of the main suppliers of parts for Damen's project. That raid was also related to violations of the Russia sanctions. The company's products frequently appear in trade data, but the company called the source of the data “questionable.”
Source: https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/video/2593097-twee-directeuren-van-damen-shipyards-opgepakt
Acute care department of Geleen hospital remains closed due to staff shortages
The acute care unit at Zuyderland Hospital in Geleen will remain closed indefinitely due to staff shortages. The unit was closed in August , initially until the end of this year. The hospital now reports that the closure could last until 2030, depending on staff recruitment.
Since this summer, acute care has been largely provided in the emergency department at the Heerlen location. Other patients are being treated in regular nursing wards in Geleen. The specialized emergency clinics at the Geleen location will remain open.
First aid
Zuyderland has been struggling with a staff shortage for some time, according to L1 Nieuws . The hospital is experiencing a large outflow of colleagues who are retiring or have found new jobs. The hospital therefore wants to recruit staff in Southern Europe, but this doesn't solve the shortage.
In October of last year, the decision was made to keep the emergency department open only at the Heerlen location. The emergency department, which had previously been located in Geleen, was converted into an acute care unit. Patients with sudden medical problems are treated there. For very serious and life-threatening conditions, people must go to the emergency room, in this case Heerlen. An acute care unit is insufficient in such cases.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2593092-afdeling-acute-zorg-ziekenhuis-geleen-blijft-dicht-vanwege-personeelstekort
Rhenen company 'insults' major Nespresso and must now pay
Coffee cup company OX Barrier from Rhenen has lost a preliminary injunction against the major Nespresso. The judge ruled that OX Barrier discredited the well-known coffee maker by distributing aggressive press releases. If these press releases are not removed, the company will have to pay hundreds of thousands of euros in fines per day.
The case is part of a "coffee capsule dispute" between the two companies. OX Barrier makes biodegradable coffee capsules and claims Nespresso copied them. To protect its European patent, the Rhenen-based company filed a patent lawsuit against Nespresso in October. However, publishing a robust press release about it in four languages proved unwise.
Copycat behavior
Nespresso's French branch has gone to the Paris Economic Court. The court finds it to be unsound. The court ruled that you can't simply accuse a competitor in another country of copycat behavior without a court ruling on the matter.
The judge ruled that the press release may only provide neutral information. It was now alleged to be disparaging of the competitor's coffee capsules. It would constitute unfair competition, as it would also damage the reputation of the well-known coffee maker.
Compensation
OX Barrier must now pay €20,000 in damages and remove all press releases. Furthermore, it is prohibited from making any further comments about Nespresso, known for its George Clooney coffee ads, until the patent case is finalized. If the Rhenen-based coffee capsule manufacturer does so, it will face a €200,000 fine for each violation.
The judge's ruling must also be posted on the Rhenen-based company's website for six months. OX Barrier has since posted a short statement online. The company's owner was unavailable for comment.
https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/3976222/rhenens-bedrijf-beledigt-grote-nespresso-en-moet-nu-betalen
MUMC+ hangs out its own 'dirty laundry': fear and insecurity in Maastricht hospital
An internal culture investigation at MUMC+ caused quite a stir just before the holidays. The report revealed a culture of fear within the hospital. There was also considerable criticism of the Board of Directors' leadership style.In total, more than 4,000 employees participated in the internal survey conducted by an American research agency.
Patterns
Following several reports of unsafe and inappropriate behavior by department heads and others, an investigation was launched to determine whether a pattern existed. The results indicated no such pattern, but it did reveal recurring behavior that occasionally made employees perceive Maastricht University Hospital as an unsafe workplace. Based on various themes, the hospital's culture has been mapped and areas for improvement are being explored. One of the conclusions is that there is too much distance between the Board of Directors and the staff.
Royal suite
Several passages in the research report highlight how employees view the hospital's top management. For example, there are repeated references to top-down communication and the alleged hierarchical nature of interactions. "As a professor, you are valued; only then do you get your own office," the report states. And: "When you enter the sixth floor, you walk across a red carpet, you step into the royal suite, which I find a shame." The hospital's organizational structure is causing employees to lose confidence in the hospital. According to the research firm, staff feel they are left to fend for themselves, and employees feel unheard by their managers.
Social insecurity
These negative experiences among staff apparently reinforce the feeling of social insecurity. For example, employees feel unheard to share their concerns, precisely out of fear of the reaction and possible consequences. "If you bring things up for discussion, you often get a hard time. Criticism isn't accepted. Speaking up leads to conflict, and then you're left alone," the report states.
Culture
Besides the feeling of insecurity, the report also addresses the culture. It concludes that there's a "people-know-each-other culture" where, according to employees, "knowing someone is more important than knowing your skills." This feeling actually increases the fear of raising a sensitive issue. The communication style and culture of holding people accountable also resonate. "There's a strong sense of family, but that's precisely why you don't dare say everything," one staff member notes.
Improvement
To improve culture and shift sentiment, the research agency primarily recommends building a strong foundation. According to the agency, employees' shared passion brings expertise and conviction. "People have a clear desire to move forward. The drive for further improvement is widespread, thus forming a strong foundation for the change MUMC+ wants to achieve," the report states. However, they do note that change is needed to address the context that drives current behavior. They state, for example, that people-focused leadership is necessary, but also that there is still room for improvement in the area of feedback, both in giving and receiving. Ultimately, according to the research agency, it's all about patience and rebuilding trust. "Assume good intentions and show understanding for each other's perspectives."
Source: https://www.l1nieuws.nl/nieuws/3062296/mumc-hangt-eigen-vuile-was-buiten-angst-en-onveiligheid-in-maastrichts-ziekenhuis
Data breach in Eindhoven involving vulnerable citizens: “Request for removal is futile” in Eindhoven
Another data breach came to light this week, this time at the municipality of Eindhoven. Employees entered personal data of vulnerable citizens into an AI tool such as ChatGPT. And that is not allowed, because we all have a right to privacy. How serious are the consequences if your personal data is shared with a public AI website? This week it was Eindhoven, which is particularly painful. The municipality was under increased supervision by the Data Protection Authority for two years because data breaches were reported too late and personal data was stored for too long.
First of all, it is not wise to upload personal data to AI tools, says AI expert Dimitri van Iersel of Omroep Brabant. But it is difficult to determine exactly what the consequences will be, he says.
‘We don't yet know to what extent this will be a problem. The data that has been entered may now be on a server somewhere outside Europe. If a data breach ever occurs there, everything will be out in the open. That risk applies to all software and cloud services where you store data.’
In the case of the municipality of Eindhoven, it is particularly sensitive because it concerns data from vulnerable citizens.
Data of vulnerable citizens
Strategic and legal consultancy Hooghiemstra & Partners investigated the data breach. Their findings show that it concerns, among other things, documents from the Youth Act containing information about the mental and physical health of minor children (often including brothers and sisters). The citizen service number and sometimes even a photo of the child are also part of the file. Documents from the Social Support Act (WMO) have also been entered. These contain data on residents and their physical and mental health, diagnoses, addictions and debts, complete with name, address, place of residence and citizen service number. CVs of job applicants and reflection reports from employees containing information about work performance have also ended up in the AI tool.
When personal data is shared with another party, as a local authority or company, you are required to make agreements about the processing, use and storage of that data. That did not happen in this case.
If employees use a free or personal account, there is a very good chance that the data entered has been used to improve and train the AI tool.
‘Once data is in a training model, it cannot be removed.’
‘Data may have been included in training data for future models. Once that has happened and the model is ready, that data can no longer be deleted. That is a grey area in the legislation surrounding generative AI.’ The municipality of Eindhoven has submitted a request to OpenAi (the company behind ChatGPT, ed.) to delete all data, but according to Van Iersel, such an attempt is futile. ‘If you make a request within 24 hours of entering the information, there is a possibility. But once more time has passed, that information is already in training models.’ The only way to retrieve the information at that point is to delete the entire training model. OpenAI would have to do that, but according to Van Iersel, that is not going to happen. The municipality of Eindhoven has not yet received a response from OpenAI to their request, a spokesperson said on Friday.
‘Actually, you always have to take into account that there is a chance that data will be leaked.’
Van Iersel considers the risk to those involved to be low. ‘The data in such a training model is not readable information. The model learns patterns, not files. Users cannot see which data has been used and cannot simply access it.’
However, there are always exceptions. ‘For example, if a lot of specific information about one person has been entered, the model may reveal details in response to very specific questions. The chance of this happening is very small, but not zero.’ But if training data can be traced back to individuals, it can certainly be misused. Think of phishing or fraud. ‘Therefore, make sure that the information you provide to AI or software cannot be traced back to individuals. In fact, you should always take into account that there is a chance that data will be leaked.’ According to Van Iersel, the lack of clear rules and policies is a major part of the problem. ‘The core issue is not so much what AI does with the data, but the lack of control and agreements regarding its use.’ He is therefore convinced that every company has employees who enter data into public AI tools that does not belong there.
"This is because there is no clear policy. If there are no rules or if they are vague, people will make their own rules. This happens everywhere, but it is not ideal. Companies need to get used to all the tools that are available. I fear that we are living in a time when a great deal of data ends up on the street.
Source: https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/6001062/datalek-eindhoven-met-kwetsbare-burgers-verwijderverzoek-is-kansloos
Water damage and power outage in Weert hospital, operations and appointments postponed
A major leak at the hospital in Weert caused water damage. This resulted in a partial power outage. Surgeries at the Sint Jans Gasthuis (SJG) have been postponed, and the outpatient clinics are closed. This morning, a pump in the utility room was found to be leaking. The leak was located near the switchboards, causing a partial power outage, L1 Nieuws reports. Grid operator Enexis is trying to resolve the problems on-site. It's not yet clear how long that will take.
Dates
An emergency meeting is being held at the hospital, a fire department spokesperson told the regional broadcaster. People with cancelled appointments will be contacted by hospital staff. They advise people to also keep an eye on the website. Patients who are already in hospital will continue to receive care, the spokesperson emphasized.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2595700-waterschade-en-stroomuitval-in-ziekenhuis-weert-operaties-en-afspraken-uitgesteld
Two directors of shipbuilder Damen Shipyards have been arrested on suspicion of “deliberately and intentionally” violating Russian sanctions in a major shipbuilding project for crab fishing. The company itself has also been designated as a suspect. This concerns the project that Nieuwsuur revealed last year, in which hundreds of European parts ended up in Russia. A press release from the FIOD (Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service) shows that the suspicion concerns sanctions evasion from the fall of 2022 onwards. Damen allegedly supplied goods by using circumvention countries. It was previously reported that the FIOD raided the home of former CEO Kommer Damen yesterday, which is also related to the sanctions violations. The former CEO was not arrested.
Via Turkey and Hong Kong
Nieuwsuur's investigation revealed that, despite the export ban in force since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian shipyards managed to obtain parts for the crab boats via Turkey and Hong Kong. At least some of the parts appear to come from Damen itself: three manufacturers say they recognize their parts in the analysis of two databases containing import data—and that these parts were supplied exclusively to Damen in the Netherlands. Nieuwsuur spoke to a total of ten manufacturers of parts for the ships. One of them is the German company Schottel, which makes propellers that propel the ships. When confronted with the data, the company said: “The logistical route for deliveries runs exclusively through Damen.”
'In line with the sanctions'
At the time, Damen was unable to explain how the products ended up in Russia. The company says it has not sent any more shipments to Russia since the sanctions came into force. And the company “believes it has acted in full compliance with the sanctions.” Damen Shipyards informed Nieuwsuur today that the FIOD also visited Damen's head office in Gorinchem yesterday. “Damen is cooperating fully with the investigation by all competent authorities and reiterates that it has always acted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
Damen Shipyards
The family-owned Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem is the largest shipbuilding company in the Netherlands. The company has 35 shipyards in 20 countries and employs 12,000 people. Damen builds fishing vessels, push boats, and tugboats, among other things. The company builds naval vessels for the Netherlands and five other NATO countries. In addition to construction, Damen also designs ships and supplies parts. Last year, the company had a turnover of 3 billion euros. In October, the FIOD also raided air conditioning supplier Heinen & Hopman. The company from Bunschoten-Spakenburg was one of the main suppliers of parts for Damen's project. That raid was also related to violations of the Russia sanctions. The company's products frequently appear in trade data, but the company called the source of the data “questionable.”
Source: https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/video/2593097-twee-directeuren-van-damen-shipyards-opgepakt
Acute care department of Geleen hospital remains closed due to staff shortages
The acute care unit at Zuyderland Hospital in Geleen will remain closed indefinitely due to staff shortages. The unit was closed in August , initially until the end of this year. The hospital now reports that the closure could last until 2030, depending on staff recruitment.
Since this summer, acute care has been largely provided in the emergency department at the Heerlen location. Other patients are being treated in regular nursing wards in Geleen. The specialized emergency clinics at the Geleen location will remain open.
First aid
Zuyderland has been struggling with a staff shortage for some time, according to L1 Nieuws . The hospital is experiencing a large outflow of colleagues who are retiring or have found new jobs. The hospital therefore wants to recruit staff in Southern Europe, but this doesn't solve the shortage.
In October of last year, the decision was made to keep the emergency department open only at the Heerlen location. The emergency department, which had previously been located in Geleen, was converted into an acute care unit. Patients with sudden medical problems are treated there. For very serious and life-threatening conditions, people must go to the emergency room, in this case Heerlen. An acute care unit is insufficient in such cases.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2593092-afdeling-acute-zorg-ziekenhuis-geleen-blijft-dicht-vanwege-personeelstekort
Rhenen company 'insults' major Nespresso and must now pay
Coffee cup company OX Barrier from Rhenen has lost a preliminary injunction against the major Nespresso. The judge ruled that OX Barrier discredited the well-known coffee maker by distributing aggressive press releases. If these press releases are not removed, the company will have to pay hundreds of thousands of euros in fines per day.
The case is part of a "coffee capsule dispute" between the two companies. OX Barrier makes biodegradable coffee capsules and claims Nespresso copied them. To protect its European patent, the Rhenen-based company filed a patent lawsuit against Nespresso in October. However, publishing a robust press release about it in four languages proved unwise.
Copycat behavior
Nespresso's French branch has gone to the Paris Economic Court. The court finds it to be unsound. The court ruled that you can't simply accuse a competitor in another country of copycat behavior without a court ruling on the matter.
The judge ruled that the press release may only provide neutral information. It was now alleged to be disparaging of the competitor's coffee capsules. It would constitute unfair competition, as it would also damage the reputation of the well-known coffee maker.
Compensation
OX Barrier must now pay €20,000 in damages and remove all press releases. Furthermore, it is prohibited from making any further comments about Nespresso, known for its George Clooney coffee ads, until the patent case is finalized. If the Rhenen-based coffee capsule manufacturer does so, it will face a €200,000 fine for each violation.
The judge's ruling must also be posted on the Rhenen-based company's website for six months. OX Barrier has since posted a short statement online. The company's owner was unavailable for comment.
https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/3976222/rhenens-bedrijf-beledigt-grote-nespresso-en-moet-nu-betalen
MUMC+ hangs out its own 'dirty laundry': fear and insecurity in Maastricht hospital
An internal culture investigation at MUMC+ caused quite a stir just before the holidays. The report revealed a culture of fear within the hospital. There was also considerable criticism of the Board of Directors' leadership style.In total, more than 4,000 employees participated in the internal survey conducted by an American research agency.
Patterns
Following several reports of unsafe and inappropriate behavior by department heads and others, an investigation was launched to determine whether a pattern existed. The results indicated no such pattern, but it did reveal recurring behavior that occasionally made employees perceive Maastricht University Hospital as an unsafe workplace. Based on various themes, the hospital's culture has been mapped and areas for improvement are being explored. One of the conclusions is that there is too much distance between the Board of Directors and the staff.
Royal suite
Several passages in the research report highlight how employees view the hospital's top management. For example, there are repeated references to top-down communication and the alleged hierarchical nature of interactions. "As a professor, you are valued; only then do you get your own office," the report states. And: "When you enter the sixth floor, you walk across a red carpet, you step into the royal suite, which I find a shame." The hospital's organizational structure is causing employees to lose confidence in the hospital. According to the research firm, staff feel they are left to fend for themselves, and employees feel unheard by their managers.
Social insecurity
These negative experiences among staff apparently reinforce the feeling of social insecurity. For example, employees feel unheard to share their concerns, precisely out of fear of the reaction and possible consequences. "If you bring things up for discussion, you often get a hard time. Criticism isn't accepted. Speaking up leads to conflict, and then you're left alone," the report states.
Culture
Besides the feeling of insecurity, the report also addresses the culture. It concludes that there's a "people-know-each-other culture" where, according to employees, "knowing someone is more important than knowing your skills." This feeling actually increases the fear of raising a sensitive issue. The communication style and culture of holding people accountable also resonate. "There's a strong sense of family, but that's precisely why you don't dare say everything," one staff member notes.
Improvement
To improve culture and shift sentiment, the research agency primarily recommends building a strong foundation. According to the agency, employees' shared passion brings expertise and conviction. "People have a clear desire to move forward. The drive for further improvement is widespread, thus forming a strong foundation for the change MUMC+ wants to achieve," the report states. However, they do note that change is needed to address the context that drives current behavior. They state, for example, that people-focused leadership is necessary, but also that there is still room for improvement in the area of feedback, both in giving and receiving. Ultimately, according to the research agency, it's all about patience and rebuilding trust. "Assume good intentions and show understanding for each other's perspectives."
Source: https://www.l1nieuws.nl/nieuws/3062296/mumc-hangt-eigen-vuile-was-buiten-angst-en-onveiligheid-in-maastrichts-ziekenhuis
Data breach in Eindhoven involving vulnerable citizens: “Request for removal is futile” in Eindhoven
Another data breach came to light this week, this time at the municipality of Eindhoven. Employees entered personal data of vulnerable citizens into an AI tool such as ChatGPT. And that is not allowed, because we all have a right to privacy. How serious are the consequences if your personal data is shared with a public AI website? This week it was Eindhoven, which is particularly painful. The municipality was under increased supervision by the Data Protection Authority for two years because data breaches were reported too late and personal data was stored for too long.
First of all, it is not wise to upload personal data to AI tools, says AI expert Dimitri van Iersel of Omroep Brabant. But it is difficult to determine exactly what the consequences will be, he says.
‘We don't yet know to what extent this will be a problem. The data that has been entered may now be on a server somewhere outside Europe. If a data breach ever occurs there, everything will be out in the open. That risk applies to all software and cloud services where you store data.’
In the case of the municipality of Eindhoven, it is particularly sensitive because it concerns data from vulnerable citizens.
Data of vulnerable citizens
Strategic and legal consultancy Hooghiemstra & Partners investigated the data breach. Their findings show that it concerns, among other things, documents from the Youth Act containing information about the mental and physical health of minor children (often including brothers and sisters). The citizen service number and sometimes even a photo of the child are also part of the file. Documents from the Social Support Act (WMO) have also been entered. These contain data on residents and their physical and mental health, diagnoses, addictions and debts, complete with name, address, place of residence and citizen service number. CVs of job applicants and reflection reports from employees containing information about work performance have also ended up in the AI tool.
When personal data is shared with another party, as a local authority or company, you are required to make agreements about the processing, use and storage of that data. That did not happen in this case.
If employees use a free or personal account, there is a very good chance that the data entered has been used to improve and train the AI tool.
‘Once data is in a training model, it cannot be removed.’
‘Data may have been included in training data for future models. Once that has happened and the model is ready, that data can no longer be deleted. That is a grey area in the legislation surrounding generative AI.’ The municipality of Eindhoven has submitted a request to OpenAi (the company behind ChatGPT, ed.) to delete all data, but according to Van Iersel, such an attempt is futile. ‘If you make a request within 24 hours of entering the information, there is a possibility. But once more time has passed, that information is already in training models.’ The only way to retrieve the information at that point is to delete the entire training model. OpenAI would have to do that, but according to Van Iersel, that is not going to happen. The municipality of Eindhoven has not yet received a response from OpenAI to their request, a spokesperson said on Friday.
‘Actually, you always have to take into account that there is a chance that data will be leaked.’
Van Iersel considers the risk to those involved to be low. ‘The data in such a training model is not readable information. The model learns patterns, not files. Users cannot see which data has been used and cannot simply access it.’
However, there are always exceptions. ‘For example, if a lot of specific information about one person has been entered, the model may reveal details in response to very specific questions. The chance of this happening is very small, but not zero.’ But if training data can be traced back to individuals, it can certainly be misused. Think of phishing or fraud. ‘Therefore, make sure that the information you provide to AI or software cannot be traced back to individuals. In fact, you should always take into account that there is a chance that data will be leaked.’ According to Van Iersel, the lack of clear rules and policies is a major part of the problem. ‘The core issue is not so much what AI does with the data, but the lack of control and agreements regarding its use.’ He is therefore convinced that every company has employees who enter data into public AI tools that does not belong there.
"This is because there is no clear policy. If there are no rules or if they are vague, people will make their own rules. This happens everywhere, but it is not ideal. Companies need to get used to all the tools that are available. I fear that we are living in a time when a great deal of data ends up on the street.
Source: https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/6001062/datalek-eindhoven-met-kwetsbare-burgers-verwijderverzoek-is-kansloos
Water damage and power outage in Weert hospital, operations and appointments postponed
A major leak at the hospital in Weert caused water damage. This resulted in a partial power outage. Surgeries at the Sint Jans Gasthuis (SJG) have been postponed, and the outpatient clinics are closed. This morning, a pump in the utility room was found to be leaking. The leak was located near the switchboards, causing a partial power outage, L1 Nieuws reports. Grid operator Enexis is trying to resolve the problems on-site. It's not yet clear how long that will take.
Dates
An emergency meeting is being held at the hospital, a fire department spokesperson told the regional broadcaster. People with cancelled appointments will be contacted by hospital staff. They advise people to also keep an eye on the website. Patients who are already in hospital will continue to receive care, the spokesperson emphasized.
Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2595700-waterschade-en-stroomuitval-in-ziekenhuis-weert-operaties-en-afspraken-uitgesteld
Translated from Dutch to English with Google translate