Maastricht Travel Forum

Is it true that coffee shops in Maastricht are now taking fingerprints of the customers?

Yes, since September last year. However, it could have been even worse: http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,490198,00.html

It's not compulsory, but there are coffeeshops in The Netherlands (Haarlem, Rotterdam) that use fingerprint recognition. This is basically to prevent minors and undesirable clients from buying. The fingerprint database is not useful for the police, as only date of birth and 47 recognition points of the fingerprint are registered.

The VOCM (Official Association of Maastricht Coffeeshops) has a website with one page in English: http://www.vocmonline.nl/tips.php?lang=eng

Mr Josemans's job is to protest the tight regulations, of course. It's always the small businesses (and not only coffeeshops) that have to make the investments. Personally I think that he's more concerned about the investment he needs to make, than he is about the privacy of customers. I'm not being sarcastic. It is a very realistic thing that small businesses have to spend a lot of money on safety and prevention, in accordance with laws but also with insurance regulations.

Rules and fines for alcohol selling to minors have been tightened too. Alcohol is not illegal. Weed still is. And I find it good that new rules are making it more difficult for minors to buy it.

Is there a coffee shop in Maastricht that does not take fingerprints or any other personal data?

The article says that all associated coffeeshops are voluntarily installing the system. It might not be in place everywhere yet. I suggest you just go in and try. Or try another. The website that I gave you in Maastricht has all the coffeeshops listed.

yes, I was just wondering if there is one that you know that does not take fingerprints?

Sorry no, I don't.