Problems with ‘smart’ locks in student housing in Utrecht and Twente: what’s going on?

In Twente, a housing provider wants to install ‘smart’ locks in almost three thousand student homes. The plan has now led to a court case. Students in Utrecht are also unhappy with digital locks. What’s the problem?

More and more student properties now have a ‘smart’ lock. Instead of using a physical key, residents have to use an app on their phone to get into their home. But not everyone is happy about that.

Housing association Veste Wonen wants to install smart locks in almost three thousand homes on the University of Twente campus. Several residents are resisting the plan. Veste Wonen is taking the matter to court, reports university magazine U-Today.

Student housing provider SSH has been using smart locks in Utrecht for several years. But they also regularly cause problems, reports university magazine DUB: students have been unable to get into their homes because their phones have run out of battery, and there are also frequent outages.

Why are smart locks being installed?

There are advantages. You no longer need physical keys, and most people always have their phone with them. Veste Wonen also says that smart locks are less likely to go wrong than conventional keys. Digital locks have already been installed in around nine hundred homes, and the housing association says they are working very well.

But not everyone thinks it’s a good idea?

Some students don’t want a digital lock because they are concerned about their privacy. After all, the app collects personal data. The data is said to be limited to what is necessary, but students fear a ‘Big Brother’ effect. The issue in Twente led to questions in the House of Representatives last year for the then housing minister.

What did the minister say?

Housing providers must comply with the law, the minister replied. In this case, the main issue is the processing of personal data, which is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

What does that mean?

A housing provider cannot simply collect residents’ personal data. Strict rules apply. For example, it must be clear what data is being collected and why this is necessary. A landlord can only install a smart lock with the resident’s consent.

So will the smart locks in Twente not go ahead without consent?

That remains to be seen. The housing association could proceed if it has a ‘legitimate interest’. Veste Wonen would then have to explain why the digital locks are necessary. The cantonal court will consider the matter.

And what’s happening in Utrecht?

University magazine DUB spoke to several students who could not get into their homes because their smartphone batteries had run out. There have also reportedly been outages. Some residents therefore left the outside doors of their buildings open so they could get in. This led to other problems: unwanted visitors could easily enter the buildings.

Will Twente face the same problems?

Veste Wonen says there are solutions. If your phone runs out of battery, you can charge it at charging points on campus. You can also share a digital key with housemates. The system is also said to keep working during power or internet outages.