Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

National Approach to Address Quality (LAA)

The aim of LAA is to improve the quality of address data in the Basic Register of Persons so that public bodies can perform their public duties based on accurate information.

Last change on 20th of December 2024, at 9:10 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
Impactful algorithms
Impact assessment
DPIA
Status
In use

General information

Theme

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Begin date

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Contact information

algoritmen@amsterdam.nl

Link to publication website

https://www.rvig.nl/landelijke-aanpak-adreskwaliteit-laa 

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The aim of LAA is to improve the quality of address data in the Basic Registration of Persons so that public bodies can perform their public tasks based on accurate information. This is done by analysing personal data using risk profiles. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations processes the data.

If, after investigation, the registration is found to be incorrect, the municipality notifies the citizen in writing. A formal process then follows: the address investigation. Citizens are asked to report their change of address as soon as possible. If the municipality has found out the correct address then the municipality will move the citizen to this address. If the municipality has not been able to trace an address, the citizen will be deregistered from the BRP. It is then unknown where the citizen resides and the municipality registers in the system that the address is unknown.

If an investigation into registration of persons at the address is going to take place, home visits will be made to the address, possibly compromising personal privacy.

Considerations

The accuracy of (address) data in the BRP is essential for the functioning of the Dutch government. A government that does not know or does not know how to find its citizens is unable to perform the tasks entrusted to it by its citizens. In many cases, it is a precondition for the correct implementation of legal regulations and for the effectiveness of government policies. For citizens, proper registration is important for their correspondence with the government and for claiming address-related government services.

The algorithm ensures efficient and most effective finding of addresses where there is a high probability of incorrect address registrations. Using the algorithm, you can prioritise addresses where the probability of incorrect registration is greater than 50 per cent while ensuring that you do not unnecessarily visit citizens' doors. If an address meets the algorithm's selection criteria, the address is shared with a municipality. Following the signal, the municipality may decide to launch an address investigation. This may include a home visit by the municipality. Selection of a high-risk address does not automatically lead to an adjustment of the address data in the BRP. It can only do so if the municipality sees reason to do so after conducting its own investigation. There is no automatic decision-making in this algorithm. There is always human intervention by the municipality's official and the LAA partnership, which consists of signal providers, RvIG, the VNG and the NVVB. The decision of a municipality to change the address data in the BRP can be objected to.

Human intervention

The Quality Department investigates the reports. Each signal is assessed manually/independently. The department assesses independently/manually whether further investigation is necessary. Criteria depend on the signal. After assessment, the file is further built with relevant information. The selection is done by an employee trained for this purpose. The employee knows the background of the signal and is specialised in conducting address research. Only when it is established that the actual situation does not correspond to the administrative reality, the municipality starts an official address investigation in which a signal goes to all buyers who are obliged to use the BRP. From then on, it may have consequences for the public services that the citizen uses.

Risk management

Privacy is potentially compromised, through the processing of personal data and home visits by municipalities.

The signals are provided by (RVIG). The RVIG tests whether all signals are compliant.

The system (LAA Monitor) where data is exchanged meets all municipal security requirements. Data are exchanged via eHerkenning (https://www.eherkenning.nl/nl).

There is no automated decision-making. Each signal investigated is assessed manually.

If signals are older than 6 months, they are removed from the LAA Monitor. If an LAA investigation reveals incorrect data, an official address investigation follows (signal category 08 listed on the citizen's personal record). The complete file (report from the LAA monitor) is then part of the official address investigation. This investigation is kept for 10 years (legal retention period for address investigations).

Legal basis

BRP Act

Links to legal bases

Ministeriele regeling LAA: https://rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/regelingen/2023/05/01/ministeriele-regeling-landelijke-aanpak-adreskwaliteit-laa

Impact assessment

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA): https://www.amsterdam.nl/privacy/specifieke/privacyverklaringen-burgerzaken-contact/adresonderzoek-basisinformatie/

Operations

Data

The data from the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) such as number of people registered at an address and the data from the Basic Registration of Addresses and Buildings (BAG) such as living area per address and the function and status of the address.

Regulations state which data we are allowed to use in the algorithm. Data that is not mentioned is therefore not allowed to be used. Nor do we use (personal) data that could lead to discrimination. We do not select on nationality, place of birth or derivatives thereof.

Technical design

A profile consists of one or more selection factors that select address data of a person. The selection factors, taken together, can lead to doubts about the accuracy of these address details. This methodology is consistent with the methodology developed in the LAA project phase. The algorithms used to select addresses in the project phase all have the character of simple, transparent, decision trees (rule-based) with a limited number of selection factors and thresholds. LAA's approach does not involve a system making autonomous, unpredictable or uncontrollable decisions or adjusting the algorithms independently, without human intervention. The algorithms assume correlation between the presence of the predetermined selection factors, on the one hand, and an increased probability of incorrect registration in the BRP, on the other. This means that the algorithm selects addresses that meet certain characteristics (selection factors). This is based on the (statistical) correlation between the presence of the selection factors and an increased probability of incorrect registration, without there having to be a causal relationship between the two. After all, a high correlation means that both phenomena (the selection factor and incorrect registration) occur relatively often together, but not that one is necessarily the cause of the other. The minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations will continue this way of working when carrying out his support task. Each LAA signal will still be manually assessed by an employee of the Quality Department before any follow-up action is taken.

Link to code base

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2018/05/16/landelijke-aanpak-adreskwaliteit-gegevensbeschermingseffectbeoordeling  

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