Government warns against clicking despite doubt
New research shows that almost all people in the Netherlands sometimes doubt online messages, links or adverts. Yet click regret does occur.
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Four in ten adults in the Netherlands have at some point regretted clicking on a link, message or advert. This is shown by research published by the cabinet on Monday alongside a new campaign against online deception.
According to the research, 94 per cent of people in the Netherlands aged 18 and over sometimes doubt the reliability of a link, advert or message. Yet more than four in ten respondents say they have experienced click regret.
The doubt arises mainly with offers that seem too good to be true and requests to pay quickly or share personal details. Time pressure also plays a major role. Of those who regretted a click, 45 per cent say haste or distraction played a part.
For about a third of this group, the click had consequences, according to the researchers. These included financial loss, stolen personal data or the installation of malicious software. The figures come from a survey of 1,578 people in the Netherlands, conducted from 23 to 28 September 2026.
The Laat je niet interneppen campaign calls on people to wait for three seconds before clicking, responding or paying. The government stresses that online deception does not affect only certain age groups or inattentive users.
Minister for Justice and Security David van Weel says criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence and data from leaks. As a result, he says, messages can seem more convincing, for example when a sender pretends to be a bank, government body or delivery service.
The campaign advises consumers to wait a moment before clicking, responding or paying. The emphasis is on recognition and delay: check the web address, look up the official website yourself and contact the organisation directly if in doubt. Anyone who has nevertheless become a victim can report it to the police or file a police report.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The government published a campaign against online deception on 19 October.
- The research was conducted among 1,578 people in the Netherlands aged 18 and over.
- The campaign advises people not to click, respond or pay immediately when in doubt.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that consumers cannot bear sole responsibility for a digital environment in which platforms, banks and companies make deception difficult enough. Stronger regulation and better compensation would be needed.
Values Collective protection, equality and the responsibility of companies and government.
Consequences Greater oversight and liability could protect victims, but would also increase compliance costs for companies.
Centre
Arguments Sees public information, secure digital processes and targeted investigations as a combination. Consumers must remain alert, while organisations must improve their communications and security.
Values Practical feasibility, proportionality and shared responsibility.
Consequences A combination of measures can reduce risks without heavily regulating every digital interaction.
Right
Arguments Places the emphasis on personal responsibility and effective prosecution of criminals. Citizens should learn to ignore suspicious messages; the government should focus mainly on tackling offenders.
Values Personal responsibility, security and enforcement.
Consequences A simple behavioural message is quick to implement, but can make people who nevertheless become victims feel that they are to blame.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core figures and campaign message were checked directly with the Government of the Netherlands. The additional security advice was confirmed by DNB and the police.
- confirmed 94 per cent of adults in the Netherlands sometimes doubt an online message, link or advert. — Research finding in the campaign report by the Government of the Netherlands. source
- confirmed More than four in ten people in the Netherlands have experienced click regret. — Research finding in the same report. source
- confirmed The government advises people to wait for three seconds before clicking, responding or paying. — Campaign advice from Laat je niet interneppen. source
Editor's note
The campaign and research results were published on Monday. The percentages come from research commissioned by the government; independent follow-up research into clicking behaviour itself is lacking.Sources
- We twijfelen allemaal, maar klikken toch — Rijksoverheid
- Tips om nepsites en phishingmails te herkennen — De Nederlandsche Bank
- Ik ben opgelicht — Politie