Dutch Legal Protection Minister Sander Dekker features Startpage.com in his new privacy “vision letter” as an example of a company that respects consumer data. Dekker sent the letter to the House of Representatives Friday to start a debate about how the government can help citizens take back their online privacy.

“It is important that people become more aware of the consequences of sharing personal data,” Dekker wrote in his letter. “Dutch initiatives such as the search engine Startpage.com, where no personal data is stored, contribute to the protection of the privacy of citizens.”

Startpage.com delivers search results without logging or sharing any user personal information.

Dekker and members of his Cabinet toured Startpage headquarters at The Hague office today as part of the new initiative. During the working visit, they met with the Startpage.com Team to discuss the importance of online privacy and how search engines play a central role in this.

“We are pleased with Minister Dekker’s vision, and we look forward to contributing to that vision,” said Startpage.com CEO Robert Beens. “Privacy is a fundamental right that needs to be better protected. During the Minister’s visit it became clear that there is room for more European companies to innovate ways to protect citizen privacy as we continue to do.”

Beens added, “More and more consumers and companies are becoming aware of online privacy and are aware of the importance of using a privacy search engine. The fact that the Government mentions Startpage.com as an example to protect your privacy underscores this trend.”

Startpage.com combines excellent search results with the best possible privacy. No personal information is recorded, sold or shared with third parties. After typing in the search query, the user can then visit the found websites anonymously with the unique “Anonymous View” feature.

Pictures from the working visit: