Kim Dotcom spying row prompts NZ to propose domestic snooping law
New Zealand unveiled a raft of proposals which would allow the country’s foreign intelligence agency to participate in domestic spying after the bureau found itself in hot water for illegally monitoring internet tycoon Kim Dotcom.
Under the proposed changes, the Government Communications and
Security Bureau [GCSB] would be empowered to spy on New Zealanders
only after receiving permission from the prime minister.
"The GCSB will require an authorization from the responsible
minister and the commissioner of security warrants when its cyber
security and information assurance functions are being performed in
relation to the communications of New Zealanders," news website
Stuff.co.nz cites Prime Minister John Key as saying.
The amendments would also allow the GCSB to provide support to
police, the Defense Force, and the Security Intelligence Service,
which is currently tasked with spying on New Zealand citizens and
permanent residents.
"The GCSB will only be able to provide that support when those
agencies are acting within their own lawful duties," Key
continued.
Key said the Bureau – traditionally tasked with foreign signals
intelligence – needed expanded powers due to the rapidly evolving
technological landscape “in areas like cyber-security and the
threat of cyber-attacks.”
“It’s vital that legislation in this area is fit for purpose and
keeps pace with changes in the operating environment, while also
safeguarding the rights of law-abiding New Zealanders,” he
insisted.
Key said he was willing to compromise on the legislation to gain
support from opposition lawmakers.
However, the opposition Labor Party claimed the proposed measures,
which will be debated in parliament this week, are nothing but a
‘band aid’ solution which did nothing to fix the deeper issue of
government transparency.
"The state should not extend its powers to spy on citizens
lightly... [John Key] is asking New Zealanders to trust him to
personally decide who can be spied on, despite his record of lax
oversight of the GCSB," AFP cites Labor leader David Shearer as
saying.
The proposed changes followed revelations that the GCSB illegally
spied on Kim Dotcom – a German national with New Zealand residency
– prior to an armed police raid on his Auckland mansion in January
2012.
Dotcom was subsequently arrested by New Zealand authorities, who
were aiding a US investigation into online piracy.
In March, New Zealand’s Court of Appeal ruled that Dotcom has the
right to sue the GCSB for illegally intercepting his
communications.
Key, who said he was unaware that they bureau had snooped on Dotcom
illegally, was forced to issue a public apology to the internet
tycoon last month. A subsequent inquiry released in April revealed
that another 88 New Zealanders may have been illegally monitored,
though details of the cases were not released.
The US Department of Justice alleges Dotcom’s popular file hosting
website Megaupload.com, cost copyright holders over $500 million in
lost revenues. He is wanted on digital piracy and money laundering
charges.
Dotcom has denied the charges against him and is free on Bail in
New Zealand in the run up to an extradition hearing scheduled in
August.