This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/sep/24/kim-dotcom-new-zealand-spying

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Kim Dotcom: New Zealand to investigate unlawful spying Kim Dotcom: New Zealand to investigate unlawful spying
(25 days later)
New Zealand's prime minister, John Key, has launched a inquiry into "unlawful" spying by government agents leading to the arrest of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, who is fighting extradition to the US where he faces charges of internet piracy and breaking copyright laws.New Zealand's prime minister, John Key, has launched a inquiry into "unlawful" spying by government agents leading to the arrest of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, who is fighting extradition to the US where he faces charges of internet piracy and breaking copyright laws.
The investigation may deal another blow to the US case after a New Zealand court ruled in June that search warrants used in the raid on Dotcom's home earlier this year, requested by the FBI, were illegal.The investigation may deal another blow to the US case after a New Zealand court ruled in June that search warrants used in the raid on Dotcom's home earlier this year, requested by the FBI, were illegal.
Key has asked the government's intelligence and security division to investigate "circumstances of unlawful interception of communications of certain individuals by the government communications security bureau", his office said in a statement on Monday.Key has asked the government's intelligence and security division to investigate "circumstances of unlawful interception of communications of certain individuals by the government communications security bureau", his office said in a statement on Monday.
Key's spokesman would not comment on whether the "certain individuals" referred to Dotcom, his three colleagues also arrested and facing US charges, or all of them.Key's spokesman would not comment on whether the "certain individuals" referred to Dotcom, his three colleagues also arrested and facing US charges, or all of them.
"The bureau had acquired communications in some instances without statutory authority," Key's statement said."The bureau had acquired communications in some instances without statutory authority," Key's statement said.
New Zealand authorities arrested Dotcom and his colleagues at his rented country estate near Auckland in January, confiscating computers and hard drives, works of art, and cars.New Zealand authorities arrested Dotcom and his colleagues at his rented country estate near Auckland in January, confiscating computers and hard drives, works of art, and cars.
The FBI accuses the flamboyant Dotcom, a 38-year-old German national also known as Kim Schmitz, of leading a group that netted $175m (£100m) since 2005 by copying and distributing music, films and other copyrighted content without authorisation.The FBI accuses the flamboyant Dotcom, a 38-year-old German national also known as Kim Schmitz, of leading a group that netted $175m (£100m) since 2005 by copying and distributing music, films and other copyrighted content without authorisation.
"I welcome the inquiry by [Key] into unlawful acts by the GCSB," Dotcom said on his Twitter account."I welcome the inquiry by [Key] into unlawful acts by the GCSB," Dotcom said on his Twitter account.
Dotcom maintains that the Megaupload site was no more than an online storage facility, and has accused Hollywood of lobbying the US government to vilify him.Dotcom maintains that the Megaupload site was no more than an online storage facility, and has accused Hollywood of lobbying the US government to vilify him.
The raid and evidence seizure has already been ruled illegal and a court has ruled that Dotcom should be allowed to see the evidence on which the extradition hearing will be based.The raid and evidence seizure has already been ruled illegal and a court has ruled that Dotcom should be allowed to see the evidence on which the extradition hearing will be based.
US authorities have appealed against that ruling, and a decision is pending.US authorities have appealed against that ruling, and a decision is pending.
Turn autoplay off
Turn autoplay on
Please activate cookies in order to turn autoplay off
Edition: UK
About us
Today's paper
Subscribe
PM orders inquiry into actions of government agents in lead-up to arrest of Megaupload founder, who is fighting US extradition
New Zealand's prime minister, John Key, has launched a inquiry into "unlawful" spying by government agents leading to the arrest of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, who is fighting extradition to the US where he faces charges of internet piracy and breaking copyright laws.
The investigation may deal another blow to the US case after a New Zealand court ruled in June that search warrants used in the raid on Dotcom's home earlier this year, requested by the FBI, were illegal.
Key has asked the government's intelligence and security division to investigate "circumstances of unlawful interception of communications of certain individuals by the government communications security bureau", his office said in a statement on Monday.
Key's spokesman would not comment on whether the "certain individuals" referred to Dotcom, his three colleagues also arrested and facing US charges, or all of them.
"The bureau had acquired communications in some instances without statutory authority," Key's statement said.
New Zealand authorities arrested Dotcom and his colleagues at his rented country estate near Auckland in January, confiscating computers and hard drives, works of art, and cars.
The FBI accuses the flamboyant Dotcom, a 38-year-old German national also known as Kim Schmitz, of leading a group that netted $175m (£100m) since 2005 by copying and distributing music, films and other copyrighted content without authorisation.
"I welcome the inquiry by [Key] into unlawful acts by the GCSB," Dotcom said on his Twitter account.
Dotcom maintains that the Megaupload site was no more than an online storage facility, and has accused Hollywood of lobbying the US government to vilify him.
The raid and evidence seizure has already been ruled illegal and a court has ruled that Dotcom should be allowed to see the evidence on which the extradition hearing will be based.
US authorities have appealed against that ruling, and a decision is pending.