The prime minister of New Zealand has apologised to Megaupload founder, and friend of Steve Wozniak, Kim Dotcom, for spying on him. Dotcom, also known as Kim Schmitz, is wanted in the US on charges of piracy, breach of copyright, and money laundering and was arrested following a raid on his New Zealand home.
A report by the Inspector of General Intelligence in New Zealand found that the Government Communications and Security Bureau had spied on Dotcom, in contravention of a law which prevents the government from snooping on New Zealand citizens and residents.
‘It is the GCSB’s responsibility to act within the law, and it is hugely disappointing that in this case its actions fell outside the law,’ said Prime Minister John Key.
A New Zealand court ruled in June that the search warrants used in the raid on Dotcom’s home were illegal, and another court has ruled that Dotcom should be allowed to see the evidence upon which his extradition hearing will be based.
The extradition hearing is expected to be held in March.
