New Zealand health worker arrested for leaking COVID vaccine data, report says

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (TND) — A New Zealand IT worker was arrested Sunday over accusations he was involved in "unauthorised disclosure and misuse of data” involving the COVID-19 vaccine, 1News reports.

Barry Young, 56, allegedly accessed a computer network within public health agency "Te Whatu Ora" for “dishonest purposes” and downloaded a terabyte of data. Young then published the information online and used it to bolster claims the agency was covering up vaccine deaths.

Te Whatu Ora CEO Margie Apa said the claims pushed by the employee are misinformation.

What this individual is trying to claim about vaccines is completely wrong and ill-informed and their comments demonstrate this,” Apa said. “The person has no clinical background or expert vaccine knowledge and appears to be trying to spread misinformation."

New Zealand Health Minister Shane Reti also spoke out on the breach, calling it concerning.

“We take the security of our data very seriously and are extremely disappointed at this gross breach of trust by this individual and his alleged involvement in spreading harmful misinformation,” Reti said, while referring to the man as a “conspiracy theorist.”

Youngfaces up to seven years in prison for the offense. When he arrived in Wellington District Court for an initial hearing, a room of supporters rose and clapped for him, causing the judge to threaten to send them out. Young later yelled “freedom” before exiting the court.

Young will be released on bail until his trial at a later date.

Te Whatu Ora maintains only four deaths could be possibly linked to the vaccine of the more than 12 million issued throughout New Zealand.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced last week he would sue pharmaceutical company Pfizer for allegedly misrepresenting the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine. He also accusing the pharmaceutical company of "conspiring to censor public discourse."