Why was GCSB spying on Dotcom? Big business is watching you!

Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, October 2nd, 2012 - 22 comments
Categories: business, copyright, internet, Spying - Tags:

Kim Dotcom was arrested on charges related to copyright infringement, not national security or “terrorism”. There is a worrying trend that the surveillance network involved the “Five Eyes” (NZ, Aussie, US, Canada and the UK), has shifted from it’s original mission and is being used for intelligence related to promoting corporate interests.

The GCSB’s website states:

The Mission of the GCSB is to contribute to the national security of New Zealand through:

  • providing foreign intelligence to support and inform Government decision making;
  • providing a 24/7 intelligence watch and warning service to Government;
  • ensuring the integrity, availability and confidentiality of official information through information assurance (IA) services to Government; and
  • contributing to the protection of Critical National Infrastructure from cyber threats.

NZ investigative journalist, Nicky Hager, was responsible for exposing the so-called “echelon” network of surveillance, by the Five Eyes, and the shift in its mission.

Intelligence monitoring of citizens, and their communications, in the area covered by the AUSCANNZUKUS security agreement has caused concern. British journalist Duncan Campbell and New Zealand journalist Nicky Hager asserted in the 1990s that the United States was exploiting ECHELON traffic for industrial espionage, rather than military and diplomatic purposes.

Today the story broke that John Key is traveling to Hollywood to promote NZ’s movie industry.

Today Kim Dotcom tweeted:

“Prime Minister meets studio bosses in Hollywood about doing business in NZ. Getting paid for the raid.”

Dotcom has made other claims about Key’s involvement with Hollywood:

Dotcom said he believed US Vice President Jo Biden personally ordered the closure of Megaupload on behalf of the American film industry, particularly his close friend and former senator Chris Dodd, who now heads the Motion Picture Association.

The Scoop team put out a press release today, explaining exactly what the GCSB was able to provide to aid the US in getting NZ police to arrest Kim Dotcom back on January 2012.

They claim that GCSB was able to provide real time viewing of the January 20 raid for interests in the US and elsewhere:

When New Zealand police raided Kim Dotcom’s mansion on Friday 20 January they were being watched by one of their colleagues 14,000km away in Washington D.C. — courtesy of GCSB-TV. …

Created by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Online (LEO) network in 2002, the Virtual Command Centre (VCC) enables enforcement agencies to post, track and spread information in a quick, secure environment. …

The GCSB’s value to police in the Dotcom raid was its expertise in managing top-secret data feeds so that New Zealand, at the centre of the FBI’s global move against Dotcom only because he chose to live here, could hold its own in the international law enforcement community.

I’m not sure how much truth there is to Dotcom’s claims about Dodd and Biden. However, just a few days after Dotcom’s arrest in January, the bill s targeting online piracy, which  Dodd was championing, were pulled from both the US Congress and the Senate.

It’s been a rough two weeks for former senator Chris Dodd, who left government and took a gig as President of the Motion Picture Association of America. The SOPA and PIPA bills on online piracy he was fighting to get passed were pulled in both the House and Senate after a massive online protest.

It’s not easy to get to the truth about what has been going on with the Dotcom case and NZ authorities. But altogether there are some worrying trends in the use of surveillance capabilities by the “five eyes” international network.

22 comments on “Why was GCSB spying on Dotcom? Big business is watching you! ”

  1. BloodyOrphan 1

    All that bootleg software in Russia left a stain on Kim Dotcom methinks.
    And we all know what the US thought of them for man many years.

  2. insider 2

    YOu forgot to mention the Bildebergers, the Rockefellers and the Seven Sisters…

    • Colonial Viper 2.1

      except that this stuff is happening in our backyard, backed by agencies we call our own. Of course, Key, is part of the wider international bankster cartel.

  3. Richard 3

    I think you’ll find that Kim Dotcom was in fact about to blow the whistle on the Pentagon/Majestic-12’s new online espionage artificial intelligence. He had to be silenced. The truth is that he died in the raid on his house, and it has been an actor ever since.

    Wake up sheeple!

  4. “The GCSB’s value to police in the Dotcom raid was its expertise in managing top-secret data feeds so that New Zealand,”

    Interesting; and Mr Bull English couldn’t use this “top-secret data feed” to inform Mr Key of the document he signed?

  5. The international surveillance network “…being used for intelligence related to promoting corporate interests.”

    This issue regarding the power that corporate interests have really needs to be addressed

    • marsman 5.1

      Are our MSM ‘journalists’ onto this? Will any of the MSM toadies that accompany John Key on his Hollywood trip actually find out who he is meeting with and why?

      • karol 5.1.1

        marsman, it seems to me the MSM are largely following Key’s lead and trying to contain with damage within quarantine limits. Key has also attempted to inoculate himself from criticism beyond that of the limited issues of law breaking by the GCSB and/or police by raising the “conspiracy” specter.

        So questions of mission creep (into corporate and commercial activities) never get raised by the MSM.

        But his latest response on the legal issue is that he doesn’t need to know every operation that the GCSB are involved in, if it doesn’t involve national security issues…..cause that would be, like, too autocratic of the PM….

        really? so if the GCSB is doing a bit of moonlighting – lending out their technology and expertise, say, to the US, FBI….. “No problem” as far as key is concerned….????

  6. AmaKiwi 6

    Two weeks after the Dotcom raid Obama held two private fundraising events in Hollywood (invitation only, no press). Price of admission: $39,000 USD per person!

    What a perfect made for Hollywood Obama fund raiser!

    At the time I was willing to bet the US would quietly drop the Dotcom case once the election was passed. 35 more days to go.

  7. muzza 7

    Must be “another conspiracy theory” eh bro’s…..

    They know all about you, and what you are up to!

    You know SFA, about them, or what they are up to!

    PS – Karol – fine work!

    • karol 7.1

      Ah, well, muzza, an issue that rolls through the whole Dotcom affair is to do with privacy, surveillance, legitimate use of digital technologies etc.

      But of course Key et al don’t want to do that. Dotcom himself tends to raise some of the wider issues in a jokey, exaggerated fashion, within 130 characters. But maybe he knows no more than the rest of us about the role of US corporates and their political alignments.

      Just not enough transparency.

  8. captain hook 8

    this world is full of ghastly little creeps and snoops who find their home in security orgs prying on others.

  9. AmaKiwi 9

    @ muzza. It is NOT a conspiracy theory.

    I gave ONLY facts you could easily verify.

    These two fund raising events and their admission price are a matter of public record. They were reported as part of the battle for campaign bribes (correction, “contributions”) between the Democrats and Republicans. The fact that BOTH major parties spend a lot of time courting Hollywood for celebrity endorsements and big contributions is also an age-old well-known fact.

    “Follow the money.” (Deepthroat to Woodward while trying to uncover the Watergate conspiracy.)

    P.S. “Follow the money” is also a basic IRD tactic. It is also why Key is going to Hollywood except we are not sure if the Hollywood money will be only for the NZ economy or perhaps others, too.

    • muzza 9.1

      Hi Ama – I think those who are familiar with some of my comments will realise that I was being /sarc.

      Hollywood = Propaganda machine, close “working relationships” with the military/intelligence communities, and behind all that of course you have the banking/financial systems.

      Its all the same control mechanism, that should be reasonably clear to all but the most challenged of minds!

      • AmaKiwi 9.1.1

        Yup, missed that.

        The problem is there are conspiracy theories that would make a great spy movie but are contradicted by the facts. I don’t doubt the timing of the Dotcom raid was not a coincidence, coming a fortnight before the Obama’s invitation only Hollywood fund raisers. It might not be ethical, but it’s legal. It’s one of the huge advantages of being the incumbent.

        Only the team that’s behind wants a level playing field.

      • karol 9.1.2

        Agreed, muzza. It’s not so much some carefully planned and orchestrated conspiracy (I’m not into those myself), as a load of loosely interconnected international networks, of power, wealth, and common interests

        I suspect it includes cronies, colleagues, and acquaintances, with similar attitudes and aims, who bend a little in each others’ direction, and lend a bit of help when it’s mutually beneficial.

        The only writers I’ve seen raise issues beyond the current media-focused concerns of legality, can be seen mostly on Scoop: the Scoop Team article of the use of GCSB technological capability for the benefit of the FBI, and of course Gordon Campbell’s latest article.

        Campbell extends the idea of national security to include economic security. But in the Dotcom case he says:

        http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/10/02/gordon-campbell-on-the-kitteridge-inquiry-into-the-gcsb/

        Arguably the TPPA has far more serious and long term implications for New Zealand’s economic security than the activities of one German-born entrepreneur.

        Campbell also kind of refers to the possibility of mission creep when he says:

        Yet the opposite tactic – of having no independent oversight of SIS and GCSB operations at all – seems equally dangerous. In that vacuum, the security agencies are being invited to function as laws unto themselves, free to define their own diplomatic, commercial and security goals, and operating behind a self-serving cloak of secrecy.

        Jane Kelsey also says people need to look beyond the more obvious Dotcom issues, to Key’s visit to the US and the TPPA:

        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1210/S00015/look-beyond-kim-dotcom.htm

        Hollywood is driving the US push for unprecedented extensions to intellectual property rights, carrying with them the further criminalization for breaches and massive cost increases for everyday Internet users. It also wants a ban on parallel imports.

        The DotCom saga shows how far the US government will go to secure the commercial interests of the industry.

        “The Hobbit saga was a forerunner of things to come if a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty is agreed and the US has its way”, said Professor Kelsey.

  10. Jenny 10

    Will this be the new, New Zealand police force look?

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/jtes/walmart-workers-strike-for-safe-warehouse-conditio

    As our security and police are already in lockstep agreement with the US in taking over-the-top action in partizan defence of corporate interests, 9even if it entails breaking the law). It can only be a matter of time.

    When it comes to civil liberties, as the saying goes; “You will only know what you’ve got, when it is gone”

    The civil liberties which we enjoy today have been hard fought for over centuries by previous generations, and are there for a reason.

    Fight to keep New Zealand sovereignity and civil liberties inviolate.

    Demand:

    NO illegal spying!

    NO soft touch for police perjury!

    NO extradition with out a hearing!

    NO hearing without evidence being presented!

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/technology/7706772/Dotcom-in-court-for-documents-appeal

  11. Jokerman 11

    O it’s broken the lock and splintered the door;
    O it’s the gate where they’re turning, turning;
    Their boots are heavy on the floor
    And their eyes are burning.

    -Auden

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    We already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    6 days ago
  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    7 days ago
  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    7 days ago
  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    7 days ago
  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    1 week ago
  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    1 week ago
  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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