The US ...hows this for paranoia?

Question

What do you think of this?
The US has a listening station in New Zealand in an area locally known as "Spy Valley" that was put in a few years ago that has all and every email sent to and from NZ going through it.they filter out any suspect emails containing key words and then moitor the sender and recipient...
Is this an infringment upon the public of a country outside the US that is of no threat to anyone...?

Mazadamandan....it well known in NZ so much so that a local vinyard has called its wines "Spy valley wines"

I dont get my info from the net,,,,,My brother hapens to live not far from it....and for those that think it is hogwash the NZ government was badgered into allowing it by the US ..
NZ has always resisted a trade agreement with the US unlike Australia which did some years ago and has suffered since...NZ is at present considering allowing US nuclear ships into her waters and harbours ...Why? because the US has threatened NZ with a small trade embargo if it doesn`t

MADDY.....the NZ internet users have been testing it for some months now,,,what they do is to send an innocent email and test the connection time,,,,this is then compared to sending a subversive email containing key words such as bomb,terrorist,attack and USA ,,most of these messages either get delayed by several hours or just mysteriously get deleted

Answer 1

It is an unbelievable waste of tax payer's money. Does anybody honestly think that if somebody was thinking of blowing something up, they'd even consider sending any details at all over this government monitored device? I genuinely believe that the majority of all thwarted terrorist attacks are simply made up to keep us all scared. If you think I'm wrong, then you have a great deal to learn. The only way to stop the US from doing this is by stopping buying their goods. Then they cannot threaten anyone with a trade embargo. I stopped buying anything US over a decade ago. They need us more than we need them.

Answer 2

I would say that is an infringement. With all the talk of DNA being taken at birth etc and stories such as this, I used to think, if you have nothing to hide then what is the problem. However, I have changed my mind now, I think if you haven't done anything why the hell should you be subject to big brother tactics.

Some people may think that if they intercept once piece of intelligence that saves a life it is worth it. A rather naive view I would say, look at how the British intelligence has worked - one totally innocent Brazilian man shot dead and countless arrests that come to nothing. You can't trust the authorities to get it right.

Answer 3

It is an infringement on public rights.As it's an infringement on
peoples rights where ever American forces go by invitation or
not.They ignore the public and Governments by bringing in more and more military and technology.In Japan they have destroyed
communities with the out ward push of the army and USAF.Japan being pacifist allows it.Now they want to build
for defence of themselves.Want them out.We in the UK should
get them out.They bring no money to areas they are in except the odd meal or pint.Everything they want is on base.I don't
know if they pay rent.But probably not.They think they can do what they want.No wonder they are paranoid.

Answer 4

Is it not part of the ECHELON programme? It aims at checking mails and phone calls randomly and as you said whenever some specific words are said.
They have at least a similar "thing" in Scotland, from where they spy their good European allies.
The scariest thing is that not only they spy everybody (although it's not 100% reliable) for their "safety" but they also used it for industrial theft and sabotage competition.
The best way to counter it is to use an top notch encryption program,

Answer 5

Interesting. There is a similar system in the UK. I think it's called "echelon", and if you say it over the 'phone, it's supposed to trigger a similar response.

Of course, if you can find the trigger words, then people could simply flood the system.

Generally, I don't send any sensitive information by email. The rule of thumb is, don't send anything that you wouldn't be happy being pinned on your workplace noticeboard.

Answer 6

If it's in New Zealand, it's been approved by your government as a relay station. It's not likely that every single email to/from NZ goes through it though as there is often a shorter route to it's digital destination. Regardless, if you're really interested, you can configure your router to avoid that node at all times.

Answer 7

you dont think the NSA at for Meade is doing the same thing right here in our country? it is for the good of our country. its not like they are sitting there getting a good laugh about how someone sent a picture or a funny joke. they only look at serious issues. Think of it on a personal level; if someone wrote an email about how they were going to kill you tonight, and the police intercepted this email and brought justice to the soon be murderer-wouldnt you be happy?

Answer 8

Most interesting going to try to e this to my cuz in NZ. Wonder if he receives it!

Edit: Well it says it has gone OK. Wait for an irate reply from a mad ex pat.

Answer 9

I do believe what you say. The scary thing is I believe there are probably far more than any of us know about. The public may be aware of this one, But I will bet that there are many many more and not just American.

Answer 10

Yes I agree. It is amazing.
Just imagine... our government has at their disposal the greatest minds in the Country constantly brainstorming out the possibilities.
It's a wonder there's not (there is!) crazyr **** goin on. Why maybe we're all crazyr than a sh**-house-mouse and they're normal?
Look out your window...