NZ PM apologises to Dotcom for spy bungle
The New Zealand Prime Minister apologised on Thursday to internet tycoon Kim Dotcom over a bungle by government spies leading to the arrest of the Megaupload boss.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key apologised on Thursday to internet tycoon Kim Dotcom over an “unacceptable” bungle by government spies leading up to the arrest of the Megaupload boss.
Key also ordered agents from the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) to review their cases over the past three years to check whether there were other instances of communications being intercepted unlawfully.
The apology came as a report into the illegal monitoring of Dotcom blamed the agents for not being aware of New Zealand immigration laws and relying on erroneous information from the police.
“I’m pretty appalled by what I’ve seen. The organisation should be able to get this right,” Key told reporters.
“Of course I apologise to Mr Dotcom. I apologise to New Zealand.”
The GCSB, which is forbidden from spying on New Zealanders or permanent residents, had been asked by the police last year to monitor Dotcom who is wanted in the United States on Internet piracy charges.
When they questioned the police if they could legally monitor Dotcom, the report said they were assured they could even though the German national held a New Zealand residence visa at the time.
