GCSB

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is our spy organisation. At the moment, it can only legally spy on foreigners in New Zealand. However this organisation made a mistake spying on Kim Dotcom because he is a permanent resident. Also, a report to the government in March this year showed that the GCSB had spied on 88 New Zealanders in the 9 years before 2012.

Now the government wants to make changes – amendments – to the GCSB to include the right to spy on New Zealanders for the police or SIS (Security Intelligence Service).

Yesterday, thousands of people marched in protest against the GCSB Amendment Bill. Many Labour and Green Party MPs joined the protests. Some people who marched said that New Zealanders should feel very worried about these changes. They argued that New Zealand soldiers fought in two world wars for our democracy and these changes would take away our right to privacy.

We now know that New Zealand is one the 5 ‘Eyes’ belonging to the Prism network. Some New Zealanders are worried that information about our own people will be passed to the US.

On the other hand, the March report said that nearly all countries with a parliamentary democracy have an organisation like the GCSB which can collect information about its citizens. In this day and age, it is important for our national security.

Listen to September 27th 2012 to hear more about Kim Dotcom and the GCSB.

Important Vocabulary

• There are many other words for spying e.g. surveillance, intelligence, e-mail / phone interception, cyber surveillance. Check that you know these words.
• There are other words for privacy e.g. civil liberties, civil rights. Check that you know the meanings.

Questions

1. What is the Prism network? Can you guess the other countries in the Prism network? What do they do?
2. Do you think the GCSB should be able to spy on New Zealanders?