NAIROBI, Kenya- Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, is setting the record straight after recent allegations suggested it shares customer data with state agencies without judicial oversight.
The telco clarified that it strictly adheres to Kenya’s data protection laws and only discloses information when compelled by a court order.
This statement, aimed at reassuring its customer base, comes amid public unease over potential data misuse, which some fear could be linked to a rise in abductions across the country.
Addressing the core of the issue, Safaricom explained that Call Data Records (CDRs) are not tools for live location tracking.
Instead, they are generated after a call for billing purposes only. This clarification seeks to dispel misunderstandings about the company’s data handling processes and alleviate concerns that these records are being used to pinpoint customers’ locations in real time.
In its statement, Safaricom emphasized, “We respect our customers’ privacy and strictly adhere to Kenya’s data protection laws. We only share customer data when required by a court order.”
In the wake of a media report claiming that Safaricom provides real-time location data to government agencies like the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) without court orders, the telco reiterated its commitment to transparency.
The company reassured customers that it remains fully committed to protecting their privacy and upholding stringent data protection standards.
To further back its commitment, Safaricom recently achieved the ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) certification from the British Standards Institute (BSI), a globally recognized mark confirming that its IT systems are secure and free from unauthorized access.
With data privacy concerns on the rise, Safaricom’s commitment to robust privacy standards serves as a message of assurance to its customers.
As the telco takes a firm stance on court-ordered data sharing only, it signals its dedication to balancing compliance with the law and safeguarding user privacy.
In the digital age, transparency in data handling is more essential than ever, and Safaricom’s proactive response underscores its role as a trusted telecom provider committed to customer privacy in Kenya.
