The Netherlands rethinks its US tech addiction

I don't get how/why the Dutch government doesn't own and have full control over DigiD. It's just a database and a bunch of certificates.

Okay, you need expertise to design and develop the software, infrastructure to host it and a bunch of sysadmins to keep it running. You need hands.

But it boggles my mind that all of this ended up as some commercial service in the hands of Solvinity. And that the company can be purchased by Kyndryl.

As I understand it, it's not all of it in Solvinity's hands; I think it's mostly infrastructure. Still, apparently it's not a matter of pushing a button to migrate off of that infrastructure.

Here in Serbia the gov uses “ConsentID” for online identity management. ConsentID appears to be a product of AET Europe B.V. It’s a Dutch company? So you already got an alternative platform to “DigiD”.

Netherlands does have a robust tech culture - they will do great!

Fair enough, but they also have a deeply embedded New Public Management culture.