Kenyans react as Safaricom denies allegations of sharing data with government security agencies and other agencies

• Safaricom PLC has denied allegations of sharing its customers’ data with government security agencies and other third-party agencies.
• The leading telecom company has clarified that call data recording (CDR) does not show real-time location and movement of customers.
• In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, the telecommunications company noted that it does not display any information about customers without their consent, unless there is a court order.
• The company’s announcement caught the attention of many Kenyans, who shared mixed reactions to the claims online.

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia has more than five years of experience in financial, businessand technology reports, and offers in-depth insight into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenyans expressed mixed reactions after Safaricom distanced itself from statements about the disclosure of client data.

Leading telecommunications company denied charges of collaborating with state security agencies to track citizens using call data recording (CDR) and sharing customer information with third party agencies.

Safaricom clarified that the CDR does not display the real-time location and movement of customers.

Why Safaricom denies data sharing allegations

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.keThe telecommunications company confirmed that it does not display any information about customers without their consent, unless there is a court order.

“Unfortunately, we do not disclose customer information, even in the M-Pesa application. We typically mask part of the digits of a mobile phone number to comply with the Data Privacy Act.

“If a party is ordered by a court to request data to assist in an investigation, we will be able to disclose that information,” Safaricom explained.

The company stated that it operates in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the Data Privacy Act and Safaricom Privacy Policy.

Kenyans react to Safaricom’s data sharing announcement

Most Kenyans took to social media to express their concerns over the allegations and what the telecom company said.

@IngNdolo complained:

“I never gave my Shylock numbers, Bible verses, Sikiza tunes, blah blah blah.”

@aketchdenis7 stated;

“Some of your employees are ruining your reputation. So many messages from betting companies and people who shouldn’t know our numbers. We still suspect that you are the culprit.”

@kevin_768 asked:

“You mean mimi nishaisukribe, kwa hio, quick alert and lucky information, who gave them my number?”

@OlangSc91384 asked:

“Tell me why my ID was used to register another number before I even registered my main line?”

@Christabel_Lona asked a question:

“But they are generated after the call ends… for billing purposes. Please tell me how my current location matters for billing and what kind of bills.”

@SafaricomPLC replied:

“Hello Lona, please note that the information generated after the call is the time and date of the call, the duration of the call and the amount charged for the call. Your current location is never generated.”

Abrahams Adore stated via Facebook:

“This transparent and honest thing is worse than when you were the best option… Heri mrudi Tu kuva. The best option…”

Kariuki Josiah said:

“The above confirms the public outcry that you do this from time to time.”

Governor Felix wrote:

“Hello Kenya hakuna implementation of data privacy policy my friend. It only exists in books.”

M-Pesa Application Confidentiality

In related news, TUKO.co.ke reported that M-Pesa a customer raised concerns after she was robbed and her money was sent to unknown numbers and Safaricom did not provide a detailed statement.

The telecommunications company noted that M-Pesa’s statements do not disclose all transaction details in accordance with data privacy regulations.

Safaricom said the information includes the three digits of the mobile phone number to which the money is sent from the sender.

Source: TUKO.co.ke