Safaricom faces fresh scrutiny as MP Irene Mayaka raises SIM card privacy concerns

Kenyan MP Irene Mayaka has called for Safaricom to appear before Parliament’s Committee on Petitions to address concerns over SIM card privacy. The issue has gained urgency as Kenya prepares for a politically charged election period. Mayaka highlighted that the committee requires clarification from the telecom giant regarding how it handles customer data when SIM cards are disconnected and subsequently reassigned.

This comes as cases of SIM card misuse, including extortion, underscore the importance of mobile network operators demonstrating compliance with Kenya’s data protection laws. Mayaka emphasized that customers may not be aware that a previously used number has been reassigned, potentially exposing them to privacy risks if personal information linked to the number is accessed by another user.

Safaricom is set to explain its procedures for managing inactive numbers, customer data, and SIM card reassignment during the parliamentary hearing. While the concerns raised do not definitively indicate a breach of data protection laws, they underscore the necessity for Safaricom to clarify its systems' safeguards during the disconnection and reassignment process.

Data privacy has become increasingly vital as Kenyans increasingly rely on mobile phones for communication, financial transactions, and accessing online services. The committee will assess whether existing procedures adequately protect customers and whether users are adequately informed when their numbers are disconnected or reassigned.