The Government needs to stop its mass surveillance after the type of metadata collection used by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) has been ruled illegal in the United States, the Green Party said today.
The Government needs to stop its mass surveillance after the type of metadata collection used by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) has been ruled illegal in the United States, the Green Party said today.
The appeals courts in the United States have today ruled that the systematic collection of the American public’s phone communication by the National Security Agency is illegal. The spying, similar to what the GCSB undertakes, was revealed by Edward Snowden.
“The GCSB undertakes the same method of spying that has now been found to be illegal in the United States,” said Green Party security and intelligence spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham.
“John Key only needs to look at rulings from around the world to see that this gross violation of privacy cannot ever be justified.
“The GCSB needs to put a stop to mass surveillance and come clean with New Zealanders about how much spying goes on.
“We know that the GCSB engages in mass surveillance, yet it is an illegal practice around the world.
“Recently, the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security started an inquiry into the activities of the GCSB, on this very issue, off the back of the complaints made by many concerned New Zealanders including the Green Party.
“The Green Party has always maintained that mass surveillance does not have a solid legal basis and must be stopped,” said Dr Graham.
