SAFE (7233) free txt intentions service
The SAFE (7233) text message service is provided to anyone wishing to record their travel intentions within New Zealand. The service is provided free by both Telecom New Zealand Limited and Vodafone New Zealand Limited. Vodafone New Zealand customers can also use the service overseas.
Vodafone has just launched its service but the Telecom service was launched last year after the murder of German backpacker Birgit Brauer.
Messages are not monitored, but are stored for 12 months (Telecom) or for 3 months (Vodafone) and can be retrieved later on request by police if necessary to assist to locate the person. Messages include the date and time the message was sent. The databases store text messages only, not pxt or video.
The service is not a substitute for 111 which should always be called in an emergency.
There are no privacy implications for investigating police requesting access to the text messages or for Telecom and Vodafone providing the text messages to police because people using the service intend police have access to the database if necessary.
From the perspective of the Telecom or Vodafone customer the service appears to be integrated, however for technical reasons both Telecom and Vodafone maintain their own databases for messages text to SAFE (7233). Should police want to view a message left by a missing person, it is necessary to know their mobile phone number to establish whether they are with Telecom or Vodafone.
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