(Nairobi) – Two human rights organizations have written to Safaricom following reports that the telecommunications company has been sharing its customers’ data with security officers to assist in tracking and abducting suspects.
In their letter to Safaricom’s Head of Public Policy and Regulation, Fred Waithaka, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) referenced an article published in the Daily Nation on October 29, which revealed that Safaricom has been providing sensitive customer information to the police. The two groups have criticized the company for allegedly helping officers with a notorious record of using illegal methods, including killings, to target suspects.
While Safaricom issued a statement on October 31, 2024, clarifying the allegations, KHRC and Muhuri argue that the company’s response failed to directly address the concerns raised in the investigation.
As a result, the organizations are calling on Safaricom to respond to a list of seven “disturbing” claims highlighted in the Daily Nation report. The two groups pointed out that when Safaricom receives court orders to release data that could implicate security officers in serious crimes such as murder, it often passes the responsibility to the police’s public liaison unit.
“This creates a conflict of interest, as it allows officers from the accused unit to access data and potentially conceal evidence related to crimes, as well as the fate of the victims,” said the groups in their letter.
Furthermore, the organizations have raised concerns over whether Safaricom verified the legitimacy of the data it shared, especially since there are signs that some of the information may have been tampered with.
KHRC and Muhuri are also questioning if Safaricom provided security officers with customer data without court orders, thus facilitating the tracking and abduction of suspects.
The groups have also demanded clarification from Safaricom regarding claims that it stored “old” data it had claimed to have deleted, including information that could assist investigations into crimes committed by government forces.
In addition, the two human rights organizations are requesting an explanation from Safaricom regarding reports that it, in collaboration with Neural Technologies Limited, developed a program that enables security forces to access customers’ private data. These reports suggest that such data has been used by officers in their operations.
The letter from KHRC and Muhuri underscores the gravity of the situation, with the organizations accusing Safaricom of undermining the right to justice by refusing to release critical data to assist in investigations of government-sponsored crimes.
This latest development highlights the ongoing debate over data privacy and the role of telecommunications companies in security operations, particularly in Kenya, where concerns over human rights violations are mounting.
Key Points from the KHRC and Muhuri Letter to Safaricom
| Concern | Description |
|---|---|
| Data Sharing with Police | Allegations that Safaricom shared customer data without court orders for security purposes. |
| Conflict of Interest | Concerns about police officers accessing their own unit’s data, potentially hiding evidence. |
| Tampered Data | Questions raised over whether Safaricom verified the authenticity of the data shared with security agencies. |
| Old Data Storage | Allegations that Safaricom retained data it had previously claimed to have deleted. |
| Collaboration with Neural Technologies | Inquiry into Safaricom’s involvement with Neural Technologies in developing programs for accessing personal customer data. |