Advice received about ethical use of data analytics

Scott made this Official Information request to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

The request was successful.

From: Scott

Dear New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,

I would like to make a request related to NZSIS use of data analytics.

In this year's open session of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the Director-General said on the topic of NZSIS use of data analytics:

"I think that as we develop this area of investigative capability, we need to make sure that we have thought through and been quite public about the data ethics aspects of this. We’re already talking to the data ethics committee. We’ve been talking to the Chief Science Advisor about how to ensure that what we do is proportionate and will protect the privacy and human rights of the New Zealand public..."

I would like to request copies of all advice received by the NZSIS on the topic of ethical use of data analytics, including from the Stats NZ Data Ethics Advisory Group, Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and any other agency which NZSIS has asked for this advice.

Yours faithfully,

Scott

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora

 

Thank you for your message. We endeavour to respond to emails within one
working day.

 

Kind regards

NZSIS

 

 

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora Scott

We are writing to acknowledge receipt of your official information request dated 23 November as outlined below.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 21 December 2021, being 20 working days after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [NZSIS request email]. If any additional factors come to light which are relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken into account.

Kind regards

NZSIS

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Tēnā koe Scott

 

We have undertaken an initial search to identify information relevant to
your request. There are some relevant documents, such as records of
meetings, and an initial IT search has revealed a large number of emails
that include the phrase "data ethics". Assessing these emails to determine
if they are relevant to your request would constitute a search through a
large volume of information and would require an extension of time. We may
also need to ask you to refine your request to a specific time frame, or
emails with specific agencies.

 

Would you be comfortable if we refined the scope of your request to
exclude email correspondence? This would allow us to focus on preparing
the documents for release and would result in you getting relevant
information sooner. If, after seeing the documents, you would like an
email search done for a particular time, or with a particular agency, you
could submit a new request then.

 

If you would like to keep email correspondence in scope of your current
request, we will need you to specify the information you are seeking with
due particularity. This could include limiting the request to a specific
timeframe, a specific phrase or specific agencies that we have
communicated with. Please note, even if you refine the request an
extension may still be required if a large number of emails are still
in-scope.

 

Please let us know by Monday 13 December how you would like to proceed.

 

Ngā mihi

NZSIS

 

 

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From: Scott

Dear NZSIS,

Thank you for the follow up. If the inclusion of emails is making it difficult to put together a response, I'm fine with excluding this as you've suggested.

Yours sincerely,

Scott

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora Scott,

We refer to your official information request dated 8 December 2021 regarding ethical use of data analytics.

The Official Information Act 1982 requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days after the day that we received your request. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit and we are, therefore, writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our decision, to 1 February 2022. We will of course provide a response earlier than this date if we are able.

This extension is necessary because the consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit. Due to the upcoming Christmas break we have had to extend the timeframe longer than would normally be required, to take into account staff leave from the relevant teams we will be consulting.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact [email address]

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Ngā mihi
NZSIS

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service


Attachment 2021 11 23 Scott OIA data ethics response.pdf
167K Download View as HTML

Attachment 2020 08 04 RoM Data Ethics Advisory Group NZSIS SLT.pdf
746K Download View as HTML

Attachment 2020 05 15 RoM Stats NZ NZSIS.pdf
371K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Scott

Please find attached a response to your OIA request.

Kind regards
NZSIS

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From: Scott

Dear New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,

Thank you for your response. I would like to make a follow up request. I would like to request:

ONE: A copy of the NZSIS Data Strategy 2020

TWO: Copies of all email communications between:

Director Kitteridge
The NZSIS Knowledge Manager

and:

Chief Science Advisor Juliet Gerrard
Government Chief Data Steward Mark Sowden
Data Ethics Advisory Group Chair Dr Nessa Lynch

on the topic of data ethics, dated since the beginning of 2019.

Yours sincerely,

Scott

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From: Scott

Dear NZSIS,

Just following up to ensure my request of 8 Feb has been received. Could I have an acknowledgement of receipt, please?

Yours sincerely,

Scott

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service


Attachment RE Official Information request Advice received about ethical use of data analytics.txt
2K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Scott,

We tried to send you an acknowledgement of your request on Wednesday 9 February, but are having issues with emails bouncing back from FYI.org.

See copy of acknowledgement attached.

Thanks
NZSIS

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora Scott,

We refer to your official information request of 8 February 2022.

The Official Information Act 1982 requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days after the day you submitted your request. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit and we are, therefore, writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our decision, to 18 March 2022.

This extension is necessary because the consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact [email address]

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Ngā mihi
NZSIS

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Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service


Attachment 2022 03 17 Scott OIA Data ethics Response.pdf
162K Download View as HTML

Attachment NZSIS Data Strategy OIA Release.pdf
5.9M Download View as HTML

Attachment Scott OIA Kitteridge Sowden emails for release.pdf
398K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Scott

Please find attached a response to your OIA request.

Kind regards
NZSIS

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From: Scott

Dear New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,

Thank you for your responses to date. I would like to make another follow up request.

In a statement attributed to an NZSIS spokesperson published by Newsroom, here:

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/sis-datasets-...

It was stated that:

"The NZSIS is very aware of the need for public discussion on access to data, and ensuring we do this in a way which is consistent with New Zealand’s laws and values. We have engaged with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, as well as the Data Ethics Advisory group convened by the Government Chief Data Steward."

I would like to request copies of all records of the engagement with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security referred to here.

Yours sincerely,

Scott

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Tēnā koe,

Thank you for your Official Information Act request.
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 20 working days after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [NZSIS request email].

Ngā mihi,
NZSIS

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora Scott,

We refer to your official information request of 7 April 2022.

The Official Information Act 1982 requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days after the day you submitted your request. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit and we are, therefore, writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our decision to 16 June 2022.

This extension is necessary because the consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact [email address]

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Ngā mihi
NZSIS

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From: Scott

Dear NZSIS,

Just wanting to follow up on this request, which on 9 May you told me would be back by 16 June. Can you let me know when I can expect your response?

Yours sincerely,

Scott

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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora Scott,

Please accept our apologies for the delay in providing you with a response to your query. Unfortunately we were not be able to meet the extended due date of 16 June 2022 and we are unable to confirm a release date at this stage.

We are progressing your request and are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.

Kind regards
NZSIS

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From: Scott

Dear NZSIS,

As it has been nearly another 7 weeks, I was wanting to follow up on this request. Could you please let me know when I could expect your response?

Yours sincerely,

Scott

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service


Attachment 2022 09 13 Scott OIA response.pdf
122K Download View as HTML

Attachment 2021 04 07 ROM DG and Privacy Commissioner.pdf
409K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Scott

Please find attached a response to your request. Our apologies for the delay in responding.

Kind regards
NZSIS

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