YNOT EU – A serious hacking scandal has rocked the Dutch government after it was learned that hundreds of security certificates used to protect the government’s online services site “DigiD” were stolen by hackers believed to be operating from Iran.

The certificates were used to supposedly secure information and data on DigiD, a government website that provides access to services like university enrollment and provides a mechanism for citizens to pay taxes online.

Dutch officials have disclosed that the certificates have been used to spy on approximately 300,000 people in Iran. It is unclear at this time how or where the certificates may have been used beyond those affected in Iran.

The news “is a huge deal,” according to Jonathan Todd, a spokesman for Neelie Kroes, the digital agenda commissioner for the EU. “This latest case illustrates the risks and the challenges of e-government and online commerce, and the European Commission is working on a coherent European response to meet these challenges.”

The Dutch government is currently exploring its options while trying to determine just what went wrong. The security firm DigiNotar, which was tasked with providing digital security for the DigiD website, has been dismissed and is under investigation.

Additionally, Google Inc. has announced that it is no longer working with DigiNotar.

“Based on the findings and decision of the Dutch government, as well as conversations with other browser makers, we have decided to reject all of the Certificate Authorities operated by DigiNotar,” wrote Heather Adkins, information security manager for Google.