Chief Justice Demands Date: Resistance Against SIM Regulations Grows

The request filed by lawyer Pazhany Rangasamy for a stay of execution of the 2023 regulations on information and communication technologies, particularly regarding the re-registration of SIM cards, was discussed yesterday before Chief Justice Rehana Mungly-Gulbul.

Following the submission of two affidavits by the defendants at the last hearing, Rangasamy stated that he does not plan to produce any further documents and that the case could be set for substantive argument.

The Chief Justice issued a statement requesting that a date be set as soon as possible, given the urgency of the matter, with the deadline for re-registration being April 30.

The responsibility now lies with the Master and Registrar of the Supreme Court to quickly find a date and inform the parties concerned through a circular.

In its affidavit, the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that there is no phone conversation monitoring, emphasizing that the 2023 regulations aim to ensure the security of electronic communications without infringing on citizens’ privacy.

The State maintains that the constitutional rights of Mauritians will in no way be violated as their data will always be protected, unless there is a court order allowing various parties to access it.

However, in his request, lawyer Rangasamy argues that the obligation to provide sensitive personal information to an operator violates the Constitution and the Civil Code.

Rangasamy is adamant that this government action is aimed at tracking those who oppose the regime and has nothing to do with combating drug trafficking.

“This case does not only concern me but the entire population. As a legal professional, we pledge confidentiality. Why should the government monitor our actions when it is me who buys a cellphone with my own money and chooses my contacts? It is dangerous,” Rangasamy emphasizes.

The complaint targets the State, the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, as well as co-defendants the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, the Data Protection Commission, Emtel Ltd, Mauritius Telecom, and Mahanagar Telephone Ltd.

Source: l’Express