How are other nations going to react to our spying on them? Key’s response when the question arose in Korea was very typical of him – bullshit and bluster. So far Brazil, Fiji, and Latin American countries have all proved him wrong.
Press Release from the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security on Scoop.
I/S at No Right Turn on today’s further revelations on personal information.
Keith Locke has created a “Not in our name” petition.
Key’s attempt to play cute with the semantics of surveillance is part of an international strategy. Here’s Glenn Greenwald at The Intercept.
The next time that John Key says that we spy so as to keep NZ safe from terrorism, could some journalist please please ask him if the PM of the Solomon Islands is a terrorist?
The latest on the spying revelations as they emerge in The Herald. Apparently we’re spying on penguins now.
Selwyn Manning’s new EveningReport site got off to a massive start last night with a long, interesting interview with Nicky Hager. Take home quote (courtesy Russell Brown): “The GCSB is not a New Zealand operation, in any practical sense”. Watch the video…
An extraordinary interview with former director of the GCSB Sir Bruce Ferguson on RNZ this morning. He confirms that NZ is conducing mass surveillance. (Any help with transcription?)
Fine work form David Fisher at The Herald. Does Key get to lie and deny his way through yet another crisis?
It might well be in Labour’s best interests to cut the crap now and go into coalition with the National Ltd™ Cult of John Key. It would be the honest thing to do. Kiwis will then know where the boundaries lie and who actually is working to oppose the implementation of the wider neo-liberal ideology.
Mass surveillance cannot accomplish its stated goals, and it’s likely that many within the security / government system understand this full well.
I/S – “GCHQ considers investigative journalists a “security threat” alongside hackers and terrorists”…
It makes for great reading and throws the net wider than last time… just Check it out here
How many governments are using the Paris / Charlie Hebdo attack as an excuse to increase surveillance or otherwise remove civil protections? The UK and Australia for starters…
Idiot Savant speculates on why GCSB Director Ian Fletcher is standing down so unexpectedly. Maybe another GCSB stuffup? Which of course someone has to fall on their sword for, but which must be kept secret for “security reasons” (aka “if the victims knew, they’d sue us and complain to the police”).
For family reasons he is stepping down… Nothing to see here says Chris Finlayson, great guy who did a great job. For national’s supporters of course there is far more importance in receiving speeding fines Woodhouse is moving quickly to say the enforcement is ambiguous. It appears that he sees a universal right to speed and kill people…
A long, fascinating piece by Glenn Greenwald on The Intercept this morning.
New author Mandy Hager joins us with some reflections on having become a grandmother: “So that’s why I’m speaking out now, every opportunity I get. Not because I like the exposure (shudder), but because I love this tiny little person and I will fight for his future, come what may. It’s the right thing to do. …”
A guest post from BLiP on Labour’s support for the “terrorism” legislation.
Another day of shame for the New Zealand Government. as they march us in lockstep…….
Towards the sort of police State we used to fight.
Overnight, The Intercept spilled the beans on AURORAGOLD, the NSA’s programme to hack the world’s cellphone providers. The article included a classified map, which showed their degree of penetration. The interesting bit? New Zealand was on it and at just the right level to indicate Vodafone was the penetrated cell network.
I guess we can conclude that Key has something to hide, otherwise what could he possibly have to fear?
I/S at No Right Turn on current and future spying legislation. “I will not vote for a party which supports spying. Neither should you.”
Got me smiling about no laughing matter!
I/S at No Right Turn yesterday: “Yes, that’s right. An important bill with major human rights implications, and we have one day to speak up about it.” I/S supplies a submission guide to make it easy…
Not to NZ at any rate.
Governments have always used external threats (real or not) to expand their powers. Supposedly “small government” types seem the most keen to grab more powers, for some strange reason.
Metiria Turei delivered a very strong speech in response to Key’s ministerial statement on national security. I give her a standing ovation! Update #1: link to video of Turei’s speech. #2 -YT video Turei’s speech. Link to Kennedy Garham’s speech
I/S at No Right Turn summarises a post from The Intercept on NSA keywords, and what they illustrate about the involvement of our GCSB.
Key ditching responsibility for the GCSB and SIS, and adopting the newly created title of Minister for National Security and Intelligence, is another example of the dirty politics two tier strategy.
With Chris Finlayson just announced as minister in charge of GCSB & SIS, I thought it appropriate to re-post something I published on The Standard back in July 2013: links 5 Eyes’ attorney generals, cyber-security, Dotcom, etc.
A quiet shift in a dodgy Key govt-SkyCity deal: TVNZ land, sold to SkyCity for its convention centre, is to be used for a new hotel. Plus: non-mandated deal between Auckland Transport Authority & a US corporate – intense surveillance of Aucklanders’ diverse activities.
Latest developments in Australia are relevant in the context of the recent focus on surveillance in NZ. What are the odds that the Nats will pass similar laws here during their current term?
