SIM card registration – Windhoek Observer

30 May

MTC defies CRAN

ObserverNational NewsKatrina Sikeni, MTC defies CRAN, SIM card registration, Tim Ekandjo

Martin Endjala The Mobile Telecommunications (MTC) announced yesterday that it will continue with its controversial biometric data capturing process for the nationwide SIM card registration, despite directives of discontinuity by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia(CRAN). MTC Chief Human Capital, Corporate and Marketing Officer Tim Ekandjo, in a statement yesterday stated that they have taken note of the announcement by CRAN, however, their position is that the rationale behind their biometrics is part of their “Verifi” process, which he says is an extended and enhanced tool for customer authenticity considering increased cyber and online fraud often involving stolen identities. In…

CRAN about SIM registration positives

ObserverObserver MoneyCRAN about SIM registration positives, Namibia identified by Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), SIM card registration

CHAMWE KAIRA Critical sectors at risk of cybercrimes in Namibia identified by Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) include energy, communications, data centres, finance, transport, water and government administration. CRAN is in the middle of enforcing a mandatory SIM Card Registration in the country and has cited cybercrimes as one of the many reasons why SIM cards must be registered. CRAN CEO, Emilia Nghikembua points out that the use of mobile phones delivers significant economic and social benefits and plays a key role in enabling digital inclusion and delivering social benefits. But on the other hand, she argues that mobile…

Ripe for surveillance abuse – Unpacking Namibia’s SIM card registration limbo

ObserverUncategorised2009 Communications Act, Namibia Central Intelligence Service (NCIS), Namibian, SIM card registration

Frederico Links Namibia is one of the last hold-outs on the African continent when it comes to mandatory SIM card registration, but indications are the country is now moving to officially operationalise such a system, even as the relevant sections of the enabling law remain in contention and state actors appear to be exploiting the partial legal vacuum. After more than a decade of foot-dragging, Namibian authorities now appear set on formally operationalising a mandatory SIM card registration regulatory mechanism, despite a legal quandary existing. The dilemma is that Part 6 (Interception of Telecommunications) of chapter five of Namibia’s Communications…