Anonymous Hacker Group Threatens New Zealand MPs Over GCSB Bill [VIDEO]

Hackers group Anonymous is threatening to expose the secrets of New Zealand MPs who are responsible for passing the country’s spying bill. The “hacktivists” has launched the “Operation Kiwi Freedom” after the country has passed the controversial GCSB Amendment Act, which allows the government to “spy” on its people.

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) Amendment Bill, which replaced existing legislation in 2003, was passed into law on August 21. One section of the bill has been creating a lot of buzz in the country, particularly because it allows the GCSB to intercept and analyse the communications of Kiwis on behalf of the Security Intelligence Service, the Defence Force, and the police.

In the uploaded YouTube video, Anonymous has criticised the government’s move. It includes video clips of news and interviews that criticised the Act, followed by a voice over statement delivered by a figure in a Guy Fawkes mask.

According to their statement, Anonymous commends New Zealand for the anti-nuclear war stance headed by Prime Minister David Lange in 1984. But it is disappointed in the recent development in the country, particularly when current Prime Minister John Keys championing the GCSB bill.

“The passing of the controversial GCSB Amendment Act was a clear indication to us that we needed to intervene,” the statement can be heard saying.

The group took responsibility for disabling the GCSB Web site on August 23, which was not heavily reported in the media “due to more deception from a GCSB employee.”

“To the government of New Zealand: you have our full attention and we are watching your every move. Consider yourself warned,” the group continued.

“To the citizens of New Zealand: Due to the inevitable corruption of your government we have decided to broaden the scope of our NZ operations. During the next week operation kiwi freedom will come in to full affect.” (sic)

“Your right to freedom and privacy shall not be suppressed because of pressure from the United States government. You live in a democratic country and we as Anonymous will do everything in our power to remind your government that they do not control their citizens. That they are not in charge of our rights to freedom as human beings. That the people should not be afraid of their government; the government should be afraid of its people.”

The group also gave an interview with New Zealand Herald through an encrypted link, in which it said that it would target the politicians responsible for passing the bill.

“Releasing such personal information sends a message that they’re not very hard to find, they aren’t the only ones who can gather intelligence,” Anonymous said, adding that it’s giving Kiwi MPs a chance to prove to the public that they have nothing to hide.