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Matthew Vella
Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg has stated in parliament that Israeli eavesdropping firm Verint, which will be supplying the Malta Security Services (MSS) with its interception technology, “does not have automatic access to the data collected” – a reference to suspicions that Malta’s emails and telephone conversations may be prone to unauthorised access by third parties.
Verint, the New York-based firm whose research and development has been partly funded by the Israeli government, was chosen by the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) to supply a unified legal interception system for the MSS back in January 2006.
But another bidder, Italian firm RCS, is challenging the MCA in court over what it claims was “illegal and discriminatory” treatment after claiming its offer was cheaper than Verint’s.
RCS was denied an appeal to the MCA’s decision, after the authority claimed the tender had been awarded under the auspices of the secret services, which is not bound by public procurement laws.
But in parliament, Borg said the adjudication of the award had been carried out by members of both the MCA and the MSS.
RCS have also said Verint was already supplying Go Mobile and the MSS with their own individual interception systems, a factor which they say could have influenced the award.
Under its former name Comverse Infosys, Verint provided legal interception equipment to the FBI. Following the September 11 attacks, Fox News reported that a “backdoor” that provides the company remote access to the system, had been accessed by unauthorised third parties and jeopardised several high-profile investigations, and counter-terrorist monitoring prior to the attack on the World Trade Centre.
Tonio Borg stated that Verint was a commercial company and not an “agent” of other entities, in response to questions by Labour shadow minister Gavin Gulia.
Borg did not mention the company by name, the cost of the contract, or the other companies which presented a bid.
Gavin Gulia has claimed the MSS are still able to eavesdrop without executive authorisation after expressing concern over government’s power to authorise phone tapping.
Labour MEP Joseph Muscat has also asked the European Commission to look into the record of Verint.
mvella@mediatoday.com.mt
Links: www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/07/30/top_story.html
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