Bart Custers
Professor of Law and Data Science
- Name
- Prof.mr.dr.ir. B.H.M. Custers
- Telephone
- +31 71 527 8838
- b.h.m.custers@law.leidenuniv.nl
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0002-3355-8380

Professor B.H.M. (Bart) Custers PhD MSc LLM is full Professor of Law and Data Science and head of eLaw, Center for Law and Digital Technologies at Leiden University.
More information about Bart Custers
News
In the media
Books
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Law and Artificial Intelligence, Regulating AI and Applying AI in Legal Practice
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EU Personal Data Protection in Policy and Practice
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De bescherming van persoonsgegevens, Acht Europese landen vergeleken
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The Future of Drone Use
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Cybercrime en witwassen; Bitcoins, online dienstverleners en andere witwasmethoden bij banking malware en ransomware
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Het gebruik van drones; een verkennend onderzoek naar onbemande luchtvaartuigen
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Discrimination and Privacy in the Information Society; Data Mining and Profiling in Large Databases
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The Power of Knowledge Ethical, Legal and Technological Aspects of Data Mining and Group Profiling in Epidemiology
Biography
Professor B.H.M. (Bart) Custers PhD MSc LLM is full Professor of Law and Data Science and head of eLaw, Center for Law and Digital Technologies at Leiden University. He has a background in both law and physics and is an expert in the area of law and digital technologies, including topics like profiling, big data, privacy, discrimination, cybercrime, technology in policing and artificial intelligence. He is a seasoned researcher and project manager who acquired and executed research for the European Commission, NWO (the National Research Council in the Netherlands), the Dutch national government, local government agencies, large corporations and SMEs. Until 2016 he was the head of the research department on Crime, Law Enforcement and Sanctions of the scientific research centre (WODC) of the Ministry of Security and Justice in the Netherlands. Before that, he worked for the national government as a senior policy advisor for consecutive ministers of justice (2009-2013) and for a large consultancy firm as a senior management consultant on information strategies (2005-2009).
Professor Custers has published three books on profiling, privacy, discrimination and big data, two books on the use of drones and one book on the use of bitcoins for money laundering cybercrime profits. He regularly gives lectures on profiling, privacy and big data and related topics. He has presented his work at international conferences in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Middle East and throughout Europe. He has published his work, over a hundred publications, in scholarly and professional journals and in newspapers.
On behalf of Leiden Law School, Professor Custers is the coordinator of the SAILS project. This project, funded by the Executive Board of Leiden University, deals with the societal and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence. All faculties and the Leiden University Medical Center are involved in this project. Professor Custers is one of the SAILS professors.
Professor of Law and Data Science
- Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid
- Instituut voor Metajuridica
- eLaw@Leiden
- Custers B.H.M. (31 March 2025), Mr. van de week: Bart Custers over AI, robots en Brusselse alfabetsoep. Interviewed by Kroese M. for Mr. Hét magazine voor juristen, Mr. van de week. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (20 March 2025), Strengere wetten nodig tegen computercriminaliteit, vindt burgemeester Femke Halsema. Interviewed by Rensen F. for De Volkskrant. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (14 March 2025), New Digital Rights. Brescia University, Brescia. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (18 January 2025), Hoe kom ik van mijn spam af?. Interviewed by Louw W. van der for Trouw, Tijdgeest: 36-41. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (11 November 2024), Nu Telegram criminele gegevens deelt met de autoriteiten, verkassen extremisten naar andere chatapps. Interviewed by Rensen F. for De Volkskrant. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (24 September 2024), Online haatzaaien: risico’s en regulering. Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (11 September 2024), Hoe veilig is Telegram? En andere vragen over de berichtendienst beantwoord. Interviewed by Ummels J. & Santhagens E. for EenVandaag. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (30 August 2024), Misleidende berichten beweren ten onrechte dat Jumbo gezichtsherkenning gebruikt. Interviewed by Pauwels L. for Factcheck Nederland. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (19 January 2024), Challenges of regulating new technologies. Department of Economics and Management - Brescia University, Brescia. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 January 2024), Gezichtsherkenning met AI in de opsporing. for Nieuwsuur (NPO2). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 January 2024), Politie experimenteert met gezichtsherkenning, maar wetgeving ontbreekt. Interviewed by Schrader M., Vugts Y. & Tilburg A.M. van for NOS.nl. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (4 July 2023), EU-wet kan misbruik van ChatGPT niet voorkomen. Interviewed by Khan W. for Trouw: 7. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (9 May 2023), Verzekeraars spelen eigen rechter bij fraude. Interviewed by Hollander O. den for NRC Handelsblad: E8-E9. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (6 March 2023), OM wil stamboom-dna-databanken gebruiken bij het oplossen van cold cases. Interviewed by Kopinga W. for NOS.nl. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (7 March 2023), Justitie hoopt met Amerikaanse dna-databanken oude Nederlandse moordzaken op te lossen. Interviewed by Waarlo N. for De Volkskrant. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (11 February 2023), Nieuw digitaal identiteitsbewijs riskant voor burgers. Interviewed by Beens P. for Reformatorisch Dagblad, Accent: 6-7. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (23 March 2022), UBO kan niet anoniem blijven als we witwassen willen aanpakken. Interviewed by I. Akkermans. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (2 February 2022), Regulating Technology: Enhancing Privacy and Trust Through Managing Expectations. Universiteit Leiden, Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (11 July 2022), Uber Files: Greyballing, kill switches, lobbying – Uber’s dark tricks revealed. Interviewed by Stylianou N., Dale B. & Dahlgreen W.. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (7 December 2021), Politie koppelde onschuldige asielzoekers aan strafrechtelijke informatie. Interviewed by Kuiper M. & Poel R. van der for NRC Handelsblad. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (24 November 2021), Burgeropsporing. . [interview].
- Stevens L. & Custers B.H.M. (18 November 2021), Data as Evidence in Criminal Courts: Comparing Legal Frameworks and Actual Practices. Basel University, Online. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (3 October 2021), SMS-fraude. . [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (15 October 2021), Gemeenten lieten moskee undercover onderzoeken. Interviewed by Kouwenhoven A. Rosenberg E. Poel R. van der for NRC.nl. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (15 October 2021), Undercover naar de moskee: geheim onderzoek naar islamitische organisaties. Interviewed by Kouwenhoven A. Rosenberg E. Poel R. van der for NRC.nl. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (16 June 2021), Introduction to the use of AI in criminal justice and law enforcement. Academy of European Law (ERA). [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (3 June 2021), Gemeenten blijven nepaccounts inzetten, ondanks kritiek, om info over burgers in te winnen. Interviewed by H. von Piekartz for De Volkskrant: 10. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (18 May 2021), Gemeenten kijken op grote schaal en in het geheim mee met burgers op sociale media. Interviewed by H. von Piekartz for De Volkskrant: 1. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (17 May 2021), Instagram-lek politie Zwolle legt risico bloot: ‘deel dit soort documenten helemaal niet meer’. for De Stentor. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (15 May 2021), Robotrechter, handig voor een snel vonnis: kunstmatige intelligentie verlicht werkdruk bij rechtspraak. Interviewed by H. van Zon for Algemeen Dagblad: 10-11. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (10 April 2021), Onmin en uitglijders bij de club die het land moet beschermen. Interviewed by Kouwenhoven A. Poel R. van der Rosenberg E. for NRC.nl: 16-19. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (9 April 2021), NCTV volgt heimelijk burgers op sociale media. Interviewed by Kouwenhoven A. Poel R. van der Rosenberg E. for NRC.nl: 1. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (8 March 2021), AI in criminal law. Leiden University, Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (1 February 2021), WhatsApp-fraude. . [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (2021), Book Review of 'EU Personal Data Protection in Policy and Practice'. Interviewed by J. Kornbeck for journal of data protection & privacy. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (21 May 2021). Het recht van de toekomst: Technologieontwikkeling bezien vanuit het recht & Het recht bezien vanuit technologieontwikkeling. Metajuridica / eLaw - Center for Law and Digital Techniologies, Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid, Universiteit Leiden. Leiden. [inaugural address].
- Custers B.H.M. (13 July 2020), COA deelt gevoelige gegevens van asielzoekers, zoals religie, met de politie. for De Volkskrant: 8. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (13 July 2020), Politie en COA ‘overtreden privacywet’ met delen persoonlijke data asielzoekers. Interviewed by M. Kuiper for NRC.nl: 1. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (23 June 2020), Data slachtoffers mensenhandel op internet gezet. Interviewed by Kuiper M & Poel R. van der for NRC.Next & NRC Handelsblad: 1. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (24 January 2020), Regulating Drones: Preparing ourselves for the future. Computers, Privacy & Data Protection (CPDP 2020), Brussels, Belgium. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (12 April 2019), Sell your own data instead of giving it away to big tech. Interviewed by Young Nora for Spark, TV show on technology and Culture (CBC Radio (Canada)). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 November 2019), Towards Value-Centric Big Data. Bratislava, Slovakia. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (14 October 2019), Law, AI and Data Science. SAILS conference "The Future of AI is Here (and Guess What … it’s Human)". Leiden University, Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (10 September 2019), Toegang tot OV-data. Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2 November 2018), Data Subject Rights & Data Controller Obligations. Leiden University, Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (25 May 2018), De Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming: inleiding gegevensbeschermingsrecht. Utrecht. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 June 2018), Privacy, ethiek en recht: beperkingen & grenzen van data science? . Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (10 May 2018), Billboardbedrijf schendt privacy argeloze voorbijgangers in Rotterdam & Amsterdam. , Privacynieuws.nl. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (17 March 2018), Privacy: lessen van over de grens . Interviewed by J. Bletz for Elsevier Weekblad, TerZake: 41. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (9 March 2018), Het wilde westen van virtual reality. Interviewed by L. Knorringa, Red Pers. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 January 2018), The Value of Personal Data: Pricing Models and Information Rights under EU Data Protection Law [Conference presentation]. 2018 International Conference on Big Data and Smart Computing (ICBDSC 2018), 5th January 2018, Casablanca, Morocco. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (16 May 2018), Keynote Lecture on Discrimination, privacy and related issues in predictive big data analytics. Robots Workshop "Predictive Analytics bei Versicherungen und in der Arbeitswelt: Diskriminierung durch Algorithmen?", Juristische Fakultät, Universität Basel, Switzerland. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (13 July 2018), Profiling as inferred data. Brussels, Belgium. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (14 November 2018), The EU Legal Framework for Processing Personal Data in Criminal Law. Atlanta. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (11 December 2018), Fairness in profiling and algorithmic predictions. Keynote Lecture for the workshop on fairness and discrimination in machine learning. Zürich, Switzerland. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2018), Big Data and AI in Legal Research. Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing Conference AICCC 2018, 22nd December 2018, Tokyo, Japan. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (18 May 2017), Mass surveillance practices and their impact on privacy and other human rights. Leiden University, Conference on "The judicialization of human rights law and policy", Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (22 May 2017), Big data en big data technologie. Symposium "Big data & het recht", Molengraaff Instituut, Universiteit Utrecht. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (16 June 2017), Keynote Address: Ransomware and Money Laundering via Bitcoins. “Advanced Cyberlaw and Electronic Security”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (23 October 2017), Design Requirements for Responsible Big Data Research and Innovation: Privacy, Discrimination and other Challenges in Big Data [Keynote Lecture]. 2017 International Conference on Big Data Research (ICBDR 2017), Osaka, Japan. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. & Scheepmaker M. (2016), Guest editor: Nieuwe technologieën in opsporing en veiligheidszorg. Justitiële Verkenningen 42(3).
- Custers B.H.M. (24 May 2016), Drones and Other Promising Law Enforcement Technologies. IACP, Dallas, USA. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (1 April 2016), Bitcoins & Money Laundering; Processing the Profits of Banking Malware and Ransomware. Leiden University, Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (31 January 2016), Dreigingen van drones. . [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (23 September 2016), Data Science in Legal Research. Leiden. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (27 October 2016), Privacy Issues in Big Data Sharing and Reuse. Cybera, Banff, Canada. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (23 November 2015), Cybercrime en witwassen – witwassen bij Banking Malware en Ransomware en de rol van virtuele valuta. WODC, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (7 October 2015), Recycling Personal Data; Data Reuse and Use Limitation in Digital Forensics. Seoul, South Korea. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (22 April 2015), Toezicht in de cloud. for Toezine. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (21 May 2014), Trends in Camera Surveillance and Sensing; Effectiveness, Best Practices and Privacy Issues in the Netherlands. Law Enforcement Information Management Conference. IACP, Atlanta, USA. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (22 November 2014), A Model for Privacy Impact Assessments; Technology Regulation Experiences in the Netherlands. Annual Conference on Technology, Information and Society. Osaka, Japan. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (14 August 2014), Presentatie wetsvoorstel ANPR. Vereniging voor Privacyrecht, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2013), Presentation Criteria for fair processing of Information, Consent Steering Committee Meeting, September 5th, 2012, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2013), The Failure of Non-Disclosure; Why Limiting Access to Sensitive Data Will Not Preserve Your Privacy in the World of Big Data. Middle East Cloud & Big Data Summit, 27th November 2013, Kuwait. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (13 May 2013), Workshop on privacy and profiling, The Hague, Ministry of Security and Justice. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2013), Presentation on User Expectations Regarding Social Media Privacy Statements. Annual Conference on Management and Social Sciences, April 16-18th 2013, Bangkok, Thailand. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2013), Trends and Challenges in Computer Forensics, Forensics Europe Expo, 24-25th April, London. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (2012), Presentation License Plate Readers in the Netherlands; Effectiveness, Best Practices and Privacy Issues, 36th Annual IACP Law Enforcement Information Management Conference (LEIM 2012), May 22nd, 2012, Indianapolis, USA. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (12 April 2011), Technologie en Opsporing. Kansen en bedreigingen in de nabije toekomst. Hogeschool Avans, Den Bosch. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (12 April 2011), Criminaliteit en Veiligheid. CCV - Centrum voor Criminaliteitspreventie en Veiligheid, Utrecht. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (6 December 2010), Strafeisen en strafoplegging in VPT-zaken. Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 October 2010), Privacy en Profiling bij de OV-chipkaart. Trans Link Systems, Amersfoort. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (28 June 2010), Technologie en opsporing. Politie, Driebergen. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (13 July 2010), Data Mining without Discrimination. International Conference on Information Security and Privacy (ISP 2010), 12-14 July 2010, Orlando, Florida. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (28 January 2009), Dag van de privacy. . [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (11 November 2008), Privacy Issues of Traffic Monitoring. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (30 October 2008), Fraudebestrijding bij het digitaal starten van een bedrijf. Kamer van Koophandel, Utrecht. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (24 October 2008), Profiling in Financial Institutions. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 June 2008), Cameratoezicht in treinen. Interviewed by Teleac Radio for Hoe?Zo! (Radio 5). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (4 March 2008), Terroristen opsporen via Second Life en Internetgames. for NOS Radio 1 Journaal (Radio 1). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (28 January 2008), Privacy and Data Protection. Universiteit van Tilburg, Tilburg. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (6 December 2007), Tapping, Data Retention, and Risk Profiling. Communications University of China, Beijing, China. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 November 2007), Privacy en risicoprofilering: kansen en bedreigingen van risicogerichte aanpakken in een surveillance society. College Bescherming Persoonsgegevens (CPB), Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (3 August 2007), Kan ik nog anoniem zijn?. for VPRO Jansen & Janssen (Nederland 3). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (30 April 2007), Risk Profiling of Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding. Funchal, Portugal. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (30 April 2007), De gevaren van opslag van dataverkeer. for NCRV Netwerk (Nederland 2 ). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (20 April 2007), Kansen en risico's integreren in toetsing. NWO, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (28 March 2007), Terreurfondsen opsporen met data mining en risicoprofilering. Universiteit van Tilburg, Tilburg. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (12 May 2006), Valkuilen bij projecten rond risicoprofilering en fraudedetectie. Ministerie van Justitie, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (3 October 2005), De juridische positie van entity analytics solutions. Utrecht. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (22 February 2005), Bouwfraude: mogelijkheden en risico's van data mining. FIOD/Belastingdienst, Den Haag. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (31 May 2005), Data mining and risk profiling. TU Delft, Delft. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. 2004. Advies over terrorismebestrijding en AIVD-bevoegdheden. Tweede Kamer - PdvA woordvoerder. Den Haag. [advice].
- Custers B.H.M. (26 October 2004), Interview proefschrift over data minig. for TROS Radio Online. [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (10 August 2004), Data mining bij inlichtingen- en veiligheidsdiensten. (Business News Radio). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (18 October 2003), Effects of Unreliable Group Profiling by Means of Data Mining. Discovery Science. Sapporo, Japan. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (23 May 2002), Benefits and Risks of Data Mining in Epidemiology. Utrecht/Bilthoven. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (6 June 2002), Ethische aspecten van data mining. Erasmus Expo Rotterdam, Rotterdam. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (5 December 2002), Invoering Burger Service Nummer. for Rechtenkwesties (Radio 747 AM). [interview].
- Custers B.H.M. (9 May 2001), Protection of Privacy on the Internet: Risks of Data Mining and Group Profiling. Vilnius University of Law, Vilnius, Lithuania. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (12 June 2001), De invloed van data mining op het individu. Katholieke Universiteit Brabant, Tilburg. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (15 December 2001), The Risks of Epidemiological Data Mining. Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. [lecture].
- Custers B.H.M. (17 November 2000), Data Mining and Group Profiling on the Internet. Tilburg University, Tilburg. [lecture].
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