Telecoms Expert hits at SIM card Re-registration

Shyam Roy, former CEO of Emtel, has criticised the re-registration of SIM cards, raising concerns over the privacy of personal data and the effectiveness of the government in controlling drug trafficking.

Starting October 31, users have 6 months to get re-registered.

Speaking to l’Express, Roy, who has been involved in the phone industry for decades, expressed concerns that the Data Protection institution may not have enough resources to protect data effectively, and that compliance with Data Protection should be audited regularly, rather than solely relying on an Act.

He also criticised the government for not using data effectively, citing cases where senior citizens had their pensions stopped due to inaccurate assumptions about their whereabouts.

When asked about the government’s claim that this registration was necessary to stop drug trafficking, Roy expressed skepticism, stating that it should not be difficult to detect if a SIM card is registered in the name of someone who is no longer in Mauritius.

Roy suggested that the upcoming general election might be a reason for the re-registration of SIM cards, as it may be more cost-effective to message users directly than to use traditional campaigning methods.

Source: l’Express