NZ regulator censors Vodafone leak

New Zealand's Commerce Commission has invoked the country's Commerce Act to censor an article which revealed a deal Vodafone had reportedly struck with mobile newcomer 2degrees.

The National Business Review, New Zealand's main business publication, was today forced by the Commerce Commission to take down an article which exposed a secret deal that had reportedly been struck between the two telcos.

The NBR has stated it is considering its legal options.

The Commerce Commission left a brief statement on its website stating that "Information contained in a National Business Review article entitled Revealed: Vodafone's secret deal with 2degrees potentially breached a Commerce Commission confidentiality order and section 100 of the Commerce Act."

Section 100 of the country's Commerce Act entitles the commission to repress the publication of information which has been given to it as evidence during one of its investigations. The commission is able to take criminal action against persons that breach its confidentiality orders.