Mass collection of Pacific data affects Kiwi holidaymakers — InternetNZ boss
Carter draws link to customers pushing for the power to demand smart device passwords.
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The allegation that New Zealand has conducted mass data harvesting of its Pacific Island neighbours' communications raises concerns about New Zealanders’ communications being collected, says InternetNZ chief executive Jordan Carter.
“If the allegations are correct, then New Zealand would be mining data about everyone in the Pacific Islands named in the allegations. That’s everyone. Not just individuals who attract specific surveillance warrants but everyone. This means local residents to visiting Kiwi tourists could be having their data collected," he says.
InternetNZ has long asserted that people should be able to live in a world free from unnecessary mass data harvesting. New Zealand should not be collecting mass data on New Zealanders or on anyone else, the chief executive says. The "If you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear" argument has been the catch-cry of those justifying such programmes "but mass collection means whoever you are and whatever you’ve done, your data gets collected and could later be examined by the security services.
“Coming on the back of Customs seeking the power to force travellers to give up passwords to their cellphones and laptops, if the allegations published today are correct, New Zealanders going on holiday to the Pacific Islands would face New Zealand’s security agencies recording all their calls and emails to family back home. Customs could then demand their laptop or phone passwords when they come back."
“Targeted, warranted surveillance is a part of modern life. Surveillance on the back of mass collection of data shouldn’t be,” Mr Carter says.
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Mass collection of Pacific data affects Kiwi holidaymakers — InternetNZ boss
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