December 21, 2023 at 09:40AM
Namibia’s SIM registration campaign faces challenges as half the population risks losing phone service in 10 days. Citizens handed biometric data to maintain service with the dominant telecommunications provider, MTC. Amid low registration rates, the government initiated a 3-month suspension period starting Jan. 1. Concerns arise over MTC’s collection and handling of biometric data, with unresolved oversight and security issues.
Key Takeaways from Meeting Notes:
– Namibia is facing a situation where more than half of the population may lose phone service due to the SIM card registration campaign.
– The government mandated SIM card registration to combat mobile fraud and identity theft but has faced challenges in achieving full compliance, particularly in rural areas.
– MTC, Namibia’s largest mobile telecommunications provider, has collected customers’ facial scans and fingerprints during the SIM registration process, causing concerns about data privacy and security.
– The government has decided to implement a three-month suspension period for unregistered numbers starting from January 1, after which unregistered numbers will be lost.
– There are questions surrounding the ownership and security of the biometric data collected by MTC, as Namibia does not have established data protection laws.
These takeaways summarize the core issues discussed in the meeting notes, aiming to provide a clear and concise overview for further action or consideration.