Thank you for your Official Information Act request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.

In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. This
means we may take some time in responding to your request. The Ministry
regularly updates information about the COVID-19 situation and publishes
OIA responses considered to be of public interest:
[2]https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

Please also refer to the Unite Against Covid-19 website for copies of
papers, minutes, and key advice for the decisions the Government has made
relating to COVID-19.

Sometimes we may need to clarify aspects of a request. You can expect to
hear from us soon if that is the case here.

Ngā mihi,

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [3][email address]

 

 

 

 

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Kia ora Jane,

 

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202200699.

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [2][email address]

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jane <[FOI #18356 email]>
Sent: Friday, 28 January 2022 10:30 am
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Communications from NEC

 

Dear Ministry of Health,

 

On the NEC Nz website it states:

 

“ Since these facial masks cover up half of our face, they pose a problem
for existing facial recognition systems.”

 

New Zealand is the pilot country and sponsor government for AI with the
world economic forum. Therefore we are testing the NEC facial recognition
system and also the traffic light system for the rest of the world.

 

Please provide communications between NEC and the Government.

 

Please provide information about how scanning in with the covid tracer app
and leaving blue tooth on is syncing with NEC facial recognition
technology.

 

Please provide information on how you will use this data.

Please provide stats on how many faces you have scanned.

 

New Zealanders are scanning in completely unaware that this is what the
covid tracer app is for. They need to be informed, because they are
currently being deceived.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Jane

 

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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[3][FOI #18356 email]

 

Is [4][Ministry of Health request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Ministry of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:

[5]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
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If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

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Kia ora Jane,  

   

Thank you for your request for information received on 28 January 2022
for:  

   

“Please provide communications between NEC and the Government. Please
provide information about how scanning in with the covid tracer app and
leaving blue tooth on is syncing with NEC facial recognition technology.
Please provide information on how you will use this data. Please provide
stats on how many faces you have scanned.”   

  

The Ministry of Health does not hold any correspondence between NEC and
the Government. As such, your request for this information is refused
under section 18(g) of the Act. You may wish to directly contact the
Government parties you are specifically interested in receiving
communications from.

The NZ COVID Tracer app does not scan faces or sync with NEC facial
recognition technology. Therefore, these parts of your request are refused
under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information requested does not
exist. 

   

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.     

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[2]Ministry of Health information releases

[3]Unite against COVID-19

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