Cell users face cut offs
The new Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Amendment Bill was discussed on Tuesday for the first time by the parliamentary portfolio committee on justice.
The amendment bill gives clarity about who is responsible for providing information about the ownership of cellphones and SIM cards, and largely shifts this responsibility from the dealer selling the cellphone to the consumer to the service provider (MTN, Vodacom or Cell-C).
The reason is so that law enforcers can more easily monitor which cellphones and SIM cards belong to whom, which could help combat crime. But the bill is also controversial because of fears of phone-tapping and invasion of privacy by the State.
After the bill is passed by parliament, probably before the end of June, and comes into effect, service providers may no longer sell a cellphone or SIM card without registering the name, ID number and address of the consumer.
Though the above already applies to those who pay their cellphone accounts in terms of contracts, it will now be extended to prepaid cellphone cards.
The same conditions will apply if you transfer your cellphone or sell it to anyone except a family member. The information must then be sent to the service provider.
The bill compels service providers to cut off the cellphone of any consumer who does not comply with the requirements within 12 months, except for emergency calls, service calls and calls to provide contact information.
Source: Finance24
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