KVK shields phone numbers

The Chamber of Commerce (KVK) has been shielding the phone numbers of entrepreneurs registered in the Trade Register since 25 September 2024. Many entrepreneurs requested this measure, mainly because of unwanted telephone approaches by commercial parties.

At the request of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, KVK anticipates changes in the Trade Register Act with the measure. These arise from the so-called Data Vision, a new way of handling data in the Trade Register that is in line with current social developments. Earlier, possibilities for shielding addresses for entrepreneurs were expanded.

Important step
Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs: "This is another important step towards a modern and future-proof Trade Register. Two things are important here: on the one hand, openness and transparency, because as an entrepreneur and consumer you need to know with whom you are doing business. And on the other hand privacy, to protect the privacy of every entrepreneur as much as possible. This new measure fits seamlessly with the latter."

Greet Prins, chairman of the KVK Board of Directors, is also pleased with the new step: "With this, we are countering the unwanted telephone approach to entrepreneurs through their registration in the Trade Register. I am pleased that we can now realise this shielding, and it appears to be necessary: self-employed entrepreneurs in particular are still being harassed by telephone salespeople, despite the law banning unsolicited telephone sales completely from 2021. We want to combat that nuisance with this."

Note: Later in 2024, KVK will remove fax numbers from the Trade Register.