Kia ora Jackson,

Thank you for your email received today, 14th February 2025, in which you submitted an Official Information Act request as follows:

In your Credit Card Statements and Reconciliations (1 July - 30 September 2024) you had multiple charges to Otter AI.

Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www....

Can you please provide me with all audio recordings and transcripts the two Otter AI business accounts associated with these payments have made.

Given that these services have been paid for using a ministerial credit card and are presumably being used in your capacity as Prime Minister, these recordings and transcripts should be considered public records and therefore released under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).

I would also like the request any and all privacy and security assessments regarding your use of Otter AI as well as any advice you or your office recieved about the use of Otter AI in regards to the Public Records Act 2005 and the OIA.

Also can you please provide any communications, agreements, or contracts with Otter AI you or your staff may have had before you started to use its service.

Given Otter AI may not store the transcripts, recordings, and other data on servers in New Zealand, does not mention New Zealand law in its Terms of Service, and in theory could be accessed by the foreign governments where the data is stored, or intercepted by other actors, these documents will be of public interest so New Zealanders can have faith that the conversations the Prime Minister is recording are being treated securely and not breaching any privacy or public records rules.

Your request is being considered in accordance with the Act, and you can expect a response by 14th March 2025 (date determined by the OIA calculator).

Ngā mihi nui

Sonya Ford
Correspondence Lead Advisor | Office of Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
Minister for National Security and Intelligence
Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services

 
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

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