Re: A Non - Lawyer Writes...
Its a bit more than that.
According to the news article, the recording was not done at the behest of the embassy. It was done initially at the behest of the CIA. The data was shared with Ecuador later.
There also appears to be a breach of GDPR - whatever way you look at it. This company appears to have been contracted to provide security services for the empassy. recording for security is not the same as bugging and it would be a strech to find a legitimate legal basis.
It might also been a breach of PECR - not so much for assange - but for his visitors. IMEI numbers being taken from visitors, and supplied to the CIA? That seems likely to be a breach as the exmptions off national security wont apply - Assange wasnt going anywhere, and its unlikely his visitors were national security threats - and it was a private company, rather than a state apparatus.
It appears that the company (a spainish one) also facilitated an illegal breach of client privilege - which applies in the US, UK and the rest of Europe - and this company appears to have facilitated - itself illegal, if it was aware of what was being done.
The british establishment didn't come out of this well. Stalling a European Investigation Order is basically unprecedented. The only reason they appear to have relented is that to have obstructed further could have jepurdised the extradition hearing in February, if the Spanish judge kicked up a fuss...
Of course, if the hearing completes before February, then it might be evidence against the extradition (right to a fair trial etc.)
There is an interesting read here: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldselect/ldextradition/126/126.pdf
Of course, the UK is likely to be the US buttboy on this
Biting the hand that feeds IT
