NZ: The Surveillance State

This is major news that has had very little coverage.

I could not find anything more than this item and a short sound clip on Radio NZ from this morning.

HERE is a link to Tech Liberty, the organisation that has made the comments.

Papers reveal 'vast expansion' of GCSB powers

Radio NZ,

21 June, 2013

An internet freedom group says just-released Cabinet papers make clear that a vast expansion of powers is in store for the Government Communications Security Bureau.

A bill is being rushed through Parliament to allow the bureau to legally spy on New Zealanders on behalf of the police, the Defence Force and the Security Intelligence Service.

The legislation also puts a formal obligation on telecommunications companies to alert the GCSB to any matters relevant to national security.

Tech Liberty spokesperson Thomas Beagle says the Cabinet papers seem to treat the changes as small but they are not.

He says the GCSB is getting much greater powers to spy on New Zealanders and use that information.