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New Zealand's longest-running online daily news and commentary publication, now in its 18th year. The opinion pieces presented here are not purported to be fact but reasonable effort is made to ensure accuracy.

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Why Kim Dotcom ought to be worried

30 August 2012

Just when you thought things couldn't get any more interesting in the saga of Kim Dotcom...

This story from the prestigious (yeah, right) Daily Mail reveals that Mr Dotcom is now planning to thumb his nose at authorities by introducing a quick and easy encryption service that can be used to protect almost all aspects of your online activities.

Personally, I've been waiting for someone to do this for quite some time and I wait with baited breath to see if it will actually happen -- then exactly how "the powers that be" will respond.

I notice that in a recent case here in NZ, police had to use bugging equipment to get evidence against a drug kingpin known as "the banker".

In a story on this case, the NZH described the way that "military grade encryption" thwarted authorities' attempts to intercept or monitor the suspect's online communications.

Now I have absolutely ZERO sympathy for anyone who is willing to ruin the lives of others by selling illicit drugs -- but I am pleased to see that there are still ways that, thanks to technology, mere citizens can still exert their right to privacy if they choose to.

I strongly suspect that KD's new service would be quickly outlawed by the USA under the premise that it would be aiding terrorists -- hence the emphasis on non-US-based servers.

Unfortunately Kim will probably discover that, when it suits, "the powers that be" don't play by their own rules. Although it might be thought that right now, given that the USA are after his guts, he has nothing to lose by launching a service like the one proposed -- I think he'll find that it's a laudable but unwise move.

The USA has shown repeatedly that it will do "whatever it takes" to achieve a goal, especially when matters of "national security" are used as the excuse. Remember that they have clearly violated (apparently without sanction) multiple international conventions by torturing "insurgents" at Camp Delta.

Be careful Kim, be very careful!

If all else fails, the USA will likely just tell the Israelis that KD now represents a threat to their state and that will be an end to the matter. As *they* have shown over the years, Mossad hit-squads are more than happy to violate the laws the rest of us must live by -- and kill those who they consider a threat or guilty of previous crimes.

Let's not expect the NZ government to stand in the way of the USA or Israel either.

Just look at how easily the two French agents responsible for the Rainbow Warrior murder escaped justice, despite the fact they were captured by NZ.

For all his smarts, I think Kim is perhaps a little naive if he thinks that he'll be able to escape the will of those who have been corrupted by their power.

But back in NZ, we have another problem involving KD -- a problem that might just result in our government aiding any force that sought to "eliminate" poor old Kimmy.

It seems that once again, NZ governments seem willing to bend over backwards to pervert normal justice in favour of doing the USA's bidding.

I find it interesting that the government has nominated the police to be culpable if/when KD sues.

What does this mean for law enforcement in NZ should such a prosecution succeed?

Will we find the police having to sell off half their vehicle fleet to cover the cost of any damages awarded?

Will we see an immediate doubling of traffic infringement fines to make up the loss?

Yet another reason to perhaps provide the USA or Israel with the help they need to get rid of this "nuisance".

But can someone remind me -- why was it that KD was granted residency, despite the fact that he didn't meet the necessary criteria?

Oh that's right -- our corrupt government opted to take the 13 pieces of silver.

What a bunch of incompetents!

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