Dutch lawmaker urges Twitter to prevent threats on platform

The Twitter application is seen on a digital device April 25, 2022, in San Diego. (PHOTO / AP)

AMSTERDAM – The chairwoman of the Dutch parliament on Wednesday called on Twitter to act to stop threats being broadcast on the social media platform against the country's lawmakers.

Vera Bergkamp made public a letter she sent to the US company's Global Affairs department expressing "deep concern" for recent tweets targeting members of parliament that contained death threats "and calls for violence and even murder".

The leader of the Netherlands' anti-Islam Freedom Party, Geert Wilders, has been the frequent target of death threats on Twitter for more than a decade

"These are probably punishable under Dutch criminal law," she tweeted.

The leader of the Netherlands' anti-Islam Freedom Party, Geert Wilders, has been the frequent target of death threats on Twitter for more than a decade.

ALSO R EAD: Germany starts fine proceedings against Twitter over complaints

Billionaire Elon Musk has said he bought Twitter in Oct 2022 to prevent the platform from becoming an echo chamber for hate and division.

"I understand Twitter works hard to minimize toxic and illegal content," Bergkamp wrote.

"Despite that I urge you to take immediate action to address this issue .. in order to protect our freedom of expression."

Requests for comment sent to Twitter's press email and the company's Global Affairs account were not immediately answered.

Although she is not a member of parliament, the Netherlands' Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag of the center-left D-66 Party has also been subjected to online and offline threats.

READ MORE: Twitter's lead EU regulator concerned over blue tick roll-out

Last week, Kaag indicated she may consider quitting politics as a result, sparking a national discussion.