About - The Story Behind ArQiver
“Equal information access protects our democratic right to equal treatment.”
ArQiver was born out of a need to address critical gaps in information management and access. The idea emerged when Hans van Bommel, working at the Dutch Tax Administration and the Ministry of Finance, witnessed firsthand the issues arising from unequal information positions during the childcare benefits scandal. The scandal highlighted how the lack of accessible information for citizens, combined with the government's own struggles to locate critical documents, resulted in costly and damaging consequences. Van Bommel saw that a key factor in these problems was the unequal information position between stakeholders, where citizens had little insight into what information was held about them by the government. This led to a vision for a solution that ensures equal access to accurate and relevant data for everyone—citizens, businesses, and public organisations alike.
ArQiver was officially launched globally in November 2024, with a commitment to continuous improvement through customer feedback. The platform addresses today's pressing need for trust in digital interactions by offering a system that guarantees the integrity of information, providing transparency in data usage, valuable insights, and the ability to quickly correct errors. It simplifies document storage, retrieval, and interactions with enterprises, serving as a personal digital postbox for users. Through ArQiver, users can effortlessly share, receive, and transmit documents with individuals and organisations, ensuring a seamless communication experience.
Equal Information Position
The unequal information position experienced by citizens during the benefits scandal highlighted the need for systemic change. Van Bommel recognized that over 70% of the costs related to the benefits scandal were due to efforts to fill gaps in information. ArQiver addresses this by creating equal access to information for all stakeholders. It enables users to prepare, collaborate on, and share archives easily, ensuring that everyone involved has access to the same data. This approach not only improves transparency but also helps prevent legal disputes by providing a clear, shared view of information.
A Solution for the Digital Age
ArQiver's launch came at a time when the digital landscape demands systems that uphold transparency, data protection, and user empowerment. The platform supports a Zero-Trust ecosystem, complying with EU regulations to enable seamless communication, dispute resolution, and secure data exchanges. Through ArQiver-Connect, users can engage with large organisations and manage their information without relying on centralised identity solutions. The platform ensures that documents are stored securely and accessible to both the user and the organisation, based on unique identifiers such as customer numbers or government-issued IDs.
Ongoing Enhancements Based on Feedback
Since its global launch in November 2024, ArQiver has been continuously evolving, with new features and updates driven by user feedback. The platform's development team is committed to refining the user experience and expanding functionalities, ensuring that ArQiver remains at the forefront of digital archiving and information management. ArQiver aims to transform how we interact with information, creating a future where everyone has an equal information position and the confidence that their data is managed securely and transparently.