Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

More evidence GCSB sharing New Zealanders’ data

28 August 2014

More evidence GCSB sharing New Zealanders’ data

New evidence shows that the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is almost certainly sharing metadata with the US spy agency NSA, the Green Party said today.

Newly released documents from NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden detail an NSA search engine, known as ICREACH, which contains over 850 billion records of metadata on phone calls, mobile phone locations and emails. The documents suggest that this data is then shared amongst Five Eyes partners, including New Zealand.

A document from 2008 also states that the GCSB had agreed that the metadata it collects may be shared with the US Intelligence Community. It is not clear whether this metadata is domestic or foreign.

"Once again, we’re seeing evidence that directly links New Zealand spies to a global mass surveillance network," said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

“John Key needs to rule out New Zealanders’ data is being shared under this arrangement.

“Changes made to the GCSB’s powers last year mean they can now spy on New Zealanders and have the ability to access our communications via our telecommunication providers.

“This new evidence puts the GCSB at the heart of the mass surveillance network and contradicts what Prime Minister John Key has been claiming all along - that New Zealand doesn’t supply information to outside organisations.

“Prime Minister John Key and the GCSB have no choice but to start answering questions about what it means for New Zealand to be a member of the Five Eyes network.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Most importantly, the Prime Minister needs to be clear about whether the metadata that the GCSB agreed to share was collected on foreigners, or whether it was in fact New Zealanders’ private information that was being collected.

“New Zealanders deserve to know the truth about whether their personal information is being collected and possibly shared offshore, and for what purpose.

“Over and over again we’re seeing these types of documents trickling out into the public sphere, which fly in the face of claims by the National Government that New Zealand is not tied up with the global spying network.

“It’s becoming increasingly implausible for Key to claim that New Zealand is not participating in the type of activity that the other Five Eyes partners have been found to be undertaking, when over and over again we’re seeing evidence to the contrary.

"We need a wide ranging independent inquiry into New Zealand's intelligence agencies to ensure proper oversight. In response to the Snowden leaks, other countries have taken this step; New Zealand must follow suit," said Dr Norman.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.