A free speech advocacy group has warned that a proposed telecommunications bill could erode data privacy and expand government surveillance in New Zealand.
In October 2025, the national government introduced the Telecommunications and Other Matters Amendment Bill (Bill 210-1), which mirrors some aspects of Australia’s Online Safety Act.
At its first reading, the proposed law received cross-party backing, with coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First, as well as opposition parties Labour and the Greens, voicing their support.
The Bill seeks to extend New Zealand’s telecommunications regulatory reach to overseas digital and telecom providers, effectively overturning a 2021 High Court ruling that exempted an overseas companies from domestic law….
Fears New Zealand’s Proposed Telco Law May Broaden State Powers Over Encrypted Messaging
