The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has warned citizens to register their SIM cards in the coming 12 months or face service provider termination.
This comes as the country has adopted mandatory Sim card registration regulations this year, which come into effect on 1 January, 2023.
“Operators will have a period of 12 months to conclude the registration of existing customers. The information of new customers must be registered within 3 months from date of sale. Unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated.” said CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua during the regulator’s awareness campaign.
Nghikembua said Mandatory SIM registration was in line with international best practice, with 157 countries in the world currently implementing SIM registration.
“Namibia is one of two African countries that do not have SIM registration and we are therefore delighted to finally reach this milestone. The six-months-long awareness campaign follows consultation between CRAN and all relevant stakeholders. Mobile operators will be required to communicate to their existing customers the registration modalities, which may in certain instances include registration through online platforms”, she said.
The CRAN CEO said having a secure authorized digital identity has become increasingly important in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety, and for the prevention of crime.
“SIM registration can enable many consumers to access value-added mobile and digital services that would otherwise be unavailable to them as unregistered users. Namibia must leverage on the use of safe and secure mobile technology to enjoy the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.
On privacy concerns regarding subscribers’ conversations and information, Nghikembua said the exact details of interactions will not be recorded, as only records of the daily interactions are recorded.
“And all data that is stored will only be released to a law official with direct orders from a judge or magistrate as the laws in place guarantee the right for privacy and freedom of speech. If there are any infringements, they must be addressed through the court of law.”
The CEO warned that there are, however, some members of the public who use mobile phones for criminal activities thus, “through the registration of all active SIM cards, security agencies will be able to track criminals after following the procedures as set out in the applicable laws.
