Seeing as Paula Bennett has a history of abusing her position to get personal information of beneficiaries and making them public, how did she get people’s phone numbers to text them?
Privacy complaint over Bennett campaign text
National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett is at the centre of a complaint after her campaign sent a text to 40 Upper Harbour constituents that included all their mobile phone numbers.
The incumbent MP has confirmed the text was sent by one of her volunteers.
The text, sent last night, said: “Hi. I’m Paula Bennett, your National Candidate. I got your number from the electoral roll. National are a strong team. We want to continue to grow NZ & take the next step in tackling hard social issues. We know what needs to be done & how to do it. Please support me and the National Party. Paula.”
In a statement, she said the message was sent through Apple’s iMessage app, which meant all the numbers could be seen.
The Electoral Commission said it had received a complaint about the text and was investigating, while the Privacy Commissioner said the text might have breached the Privacy Act.
A spokesperson for the commission said it was wrong to say phone numbers could be taken from the electoral roll and it wanted to assure people that numbers provided to the commission were not given to anyone.
One recipient posted the text on Facebook saying she considered it to be a “huge breach of privacy”. Her post attracted 56 comments, including from several others who were upset at receiving the same message.
Mrs Bennett said the text was sent by one of her volunteers as part of her campaign’s “normal phone and texting of voters”.
“Unfortunately one lot went as an iMessage, which means the 40 numbers could be seen. No names or any other details were disclosed. We get our numbers from a variety of places over time including door knocking and canvassing.”
National Party campaign communications manager Clark Hennessy later clarified to RNZ that the text message was “poorly worded”.
“The names came from the electoral roll but the numbers were collected through a range of different ways. The message should have been clearer.”
One of the recipients of the text message told RNZ she had never given her number to the National Party.
“That’s why I want it investigated – I’m furious.”
…this Government have lied repeatedly during this election campaign to stay in power, it isn’t that much of a stretch to believe they’ve manipulated private information to text people.
Just another reason we need to kick out this Government.
thin end of the wedge?…SCARY!…we are watching YOU!…vote Nact and Paula or your benefit will be cut!
Sweetie the motel lady at it again.
Deputy of the liar party.
If she had got my phone number she would have been in for a nasty shock!
I don’t take kindly to being pestered by idiot Natzskis, and that includes them jumping up and down in front of my car waving placards.
They got told to get out of my f…n way yesterday.
What a bunch of arrogant smart arses!
Scam campaign
… and this is the government that wants to be trusted with our private details!
Ye gods!
yep Bull English trives on lies and living in the ‘deep dark state’ he is as wrarped as his pony tail pulling mate no dobt about this when you read what his ecexutive Minister was up to now!!!!
They will be gone tomorrow.
I even got my second email from Bill and another from Mary English this week too so even with me as always opposing National has been targeted by there seedy deep state email activities.
See here ( i have removed our personal contact details) !!!!!
It gives you an idea of their propaganda activities they are conducting now.
From: Bill English [mailto:hq@national.org.nz]
Sent: Friday, 22 September 2017 11:16 AM
To:
Subject: Your vote
Hi
Your vote will decide the future direction of New Zealand for the next three years.
We have an opportunity like no other right in front of us. New Zealand can build on its economic success and keep our country moving forward or go backwards with more taxes and more debt.
Everyday on this campaign I have been inspired by hardworking Kiwis who deserve a government that will keep backing them to get ahead.
Everyone, no matter what their background, has a spark and aspiration that life can be better. It is up to the government to develop that spark and help make that aspiration a reality.
That is what this campaign has always been about. It is not about parties or personalities, but about your family and your future.
I know that with a strong economy and consistent fiscal management, we will have the resources to truly make a positive difference in the lives of all New Zealanders.
To keep moving in the right direction National needs your Party Vote. This is the only way to ensure a National-led Government. A vote for any other Party will not help us, and it will risk a Labour-Greens Government.
Take some time today to message your family and friends to encourage them to go out and give their Party Vote to National.
Thank you,
Bill
P.S. Please be aware that under election rules you are you not allowed to campaign on Election Day – September 23, this includes comments on social media.
________________________________________
This email was sent to ——————- We believe that email is one of the best ways to stay in touch with our members & supporters, but you can click here if you would like to unsubscribe from these messages.
If you’re not interested in continuing to receive email updates, there are other ways to stay connected. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea St, Wellington.
Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe
I live in West Australia. I was rung, on behalf of the National party as an eligible voter on my cell phone!
Why and how!
This is disturbing!
[Published after 7PM, 23 September. – Scarletmod]
If this is the case, then it’s going to put a lot of people off enrolling as a voter!
Privacy in election enrollment is sacrosanct and must be respected at all times. This is definitely an area where there is no room for negotiation or otherwise.
This is a serious breach of privacy and must be investigated accordingly.
[Published after 7PM, 23 September. – Scarletmod]
How ironic that National professes to be the party that promotes individual rights and at the same time uses Big Data and the power of the State to promote itself.
[Published after 7PM, 23 September. – Scarletmod]
How was I rung by a person on behalf of the National Party at my work in Perth, W.A. last week
On my personal cell phone!
Yes, I’m enrolled and can vote – could only have got my number of……where?
I suppose by the same means that Cameron Slater got mine a few years ago and called me at breakfast to let me know.
I don’t think phone numbers are on the electoral roll, are they?
Comments are closed.