{
  "id": 12571122,
  "title": "Telcos compelled to notify subscribers before recycling mobile numbers under new rules",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/telcos-compelled-to-notify-subscribers-before-recycling-mobile",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-07T06:39:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/telcos-compelled-to-notify-subscribers-before-recycling-mobile-numbers-under-new-rules/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has imposed new regulations on telecommunications companies, mandating them to inform subscribers before deactivating inactive SIM cards and recycling mobile numbers. These measures aim to prevent subscribers from losing numbers linked to essential services like mobile money, online platforms, and financial services. Under the new rules, operators must use all provided subscriber contacts to reach those whose numbers have been inactive for over three months, a process that will span three months before a number becomes eligible for reassignment. The CA Director-General, David Mugonyi, explained that the safeguards were established in response to a High Court ruling from March 2026, which directed the government to take action against arbitrary deactivation and reassignment of inactive mobile numbers. The new framework includes provisions for subscribers who may be unable to use their numbers for extended periods due to circumstances beyond their control, such as illness, imprisonment, or extended travel. In such cases, subscribers or authorized individuals can request that numbers be whitelisted, ensuring they remain inactive for more than six months without being recycled. The committee also addressed the issue of what happens when a subscriber dies, emphasizing that subscribers must provide accurate information during SIM registration, including alternative contact details that can be used to notify authorized persons or family members. The CA further highlighted the importance of data protection, requiring operators to securely archive data associated with a number when attempts to reach the subscriber fail, thereby safeguarding personal information from being passed on to the new owner.",
  "summary": "Telecommunications companies must notify subscribers before deactivating inactive SIM cards and recycling their numbers under new Communications Authority safeguards.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}