5 June 2020
Hemant
By email:
[FYI request #12552 email]
Ref: OIA-2019/20-0433
Dear Hemant,
Official Information Act request regarding Zoom conference clearance
documentation
Thank you for your Official Information Act request received on 30 March 2020. You
requested:
“...On the 30th of March 2020 in Prime Minister Ardern's her live address to
the nation at 4pm she said that Zoom video conferencing has been cleared up
to restricted level. This is completely at odds with industries understanding of
Zoom, especially given its terms and conditions/privacy policy. Ignoring the
title, this is laid out is "lay mans" terms in this article.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/03/27/doc_searls_zoom_privacy/
Can you please provide all documents and/or correspondance that backs up
the use of zoom for meetings? Also, all documents /correspondence that were
related to the decision to use zoom...”
I note the timeframe for responding to your request was extended by 26 working days in
order to allow further consultation to be undertaken. Following this extension, I am now
in a position to respond.
Information being released
Please find
enclosed documents identified as relating to decision-making on the use of
Zoom for Cabinet meetings.
Redactions to the documents provided have been made under one or more of the
following sections of the Act:
• section 6(a), where the making available of information would be likely to
prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations
of the Government of New Zealand;
• section 6(d), where the making available of information would be likely to
endanger the safety of any person;
• section 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals; and
• section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through
the free and frank expression of opinion.
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) has advised that there is an
error in paragraph 41(e) of the guidance document included at page 42. The sentence
should read “only allow remote control of the screen sharing session when on a call with
someone from your agency (no external parties), however this feature should not be
used in a webinar scenario.”
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wel ington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz
In making my decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the Act into account. You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and
review my decision under section 28(3) of the Act.
This response wil be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released monthly,
or as otherwise determined. Your personal information including name and contact
details wil be removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Clare Ward
Executive Director
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Document Outline
