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- Feb 11, 2007
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Is Africa's privacy under threat?
Ghana and Nigeria are among the latest African governments to insist that all mobile phone subscribers register their numbers in a bid to crack down on crime.
All new mobile Sim cards - on contract or pre-pay - will have to be registered in the name and address of the user before they can be activated. Customers will have to verify their details with a form of identity or their bank details.
Tanzania, South Africa and Mauritius have all introduced similar regulations. They argue they are needed because more people have been using prepaid mobile telephones to commit fraud and send malicious texts.
Would you trust a phone company with your personal details? Or do you think that your privacy and civil liberties may be violated - either by the government, or perhaps your spouse or partner? Do you agree with the Sim card registration? Do you feel that keeping society safe is the most important consideration?
If you would like to join Africa Have Your Say to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 27 January at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/africahys or follow us on Twitter @bbcafricahys. You can also send an SMS text message to +44 77 86 20 20 08.
Published: Tuesday, 26 January, 2010, 15:59 GMT 15:59 UK
Ghana and Nigeria are among the latest African governments to insist that all mobile phone subscribers register their numbers in a bid to crack down on crime.
All new mobile Sim cards - on contract or pre-pay - will have to be registered in the name and address of the user before they can be activated. Customers will have to verify their details with a form of identity or their bank details.
Tanzania, South Africa and Mauritius have all introduced similar regulations. They argue they are needed because more people have been using prepaid mobile telephones to commit fraud and send malicious texts.
Would you trust a phone company with your personal details? Or do you think that your privacy and civil liberties may be violated - either by the government, or perhaps your spouse or partner? Do you agree with the Sim card registration? Do you feel that keeping society safe is the most important consideration?
If you would like to join Africa Have Your Say to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 27 January at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/africahys or follow us on Twitter @bbcafricahys. You can also send an SMS text message to +44 77 86 20 20 08.
Published: Tuesday, 26 January, 2010, 15:59 GMT 15:59 UK
