Kenya’s High Court has suspended the decision of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to allow Safaricom to roll out the thin SIM technology.
The High Court halted the move following an urgent application by Kituo Cha Sheria wh0 accused the CA of authorising the technology without a full audit of the security of data risks to the subscribers’ personal identification number of the primary thin SIM that will be overlaid by the thin SIM.
Judge George Odunga temporarily blocked the process after the legal advice centre claimed that primary SIMs of millions of mobile phone customers’ risks being compromised in an irreparable manner.
“The Communication Authority hurriedly authorised the use of the thin SIM technology in spite of legitimate concerns regarding security of data on the primary SIM that shall be overlaid by the thin SIM,” Kituo Cha sharia argues.
In October, The Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Ministry said it was in full support of the entry of the thin SIM technology in Kenya.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i while speaking before the parliamentary committee on Energy, Communications and Information, said that despite the ongoing debate concerning the vulnerability of the privacy of the users, the approval by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is sufficient proof it is fit for use.
Equity Bank Chief Executive Officer James Mwangi said the bank expected to receive about five million thin SIMs in the next few weeks before the official launch of the technology.
The bank has sofar distributed at least 200,000 normal SIM cards for customers with dual SIM handsets as well as selling phones to those without.
Via Capital Fm
