Vodafone explains why it submitted subscriber data to gov’t
Telecommunication company, Vodafone, has clarified reasons it submitted some subscriber data to the National Communication Authority (NCA).
There were media reports that the telecom giant had ‘breached’ customer privacy after it surrendered subscriber information to Kelni GVG in response to the Presidential directive in the wake of COVID-19.
But Vodafone has denied the reports.
A statement issued by the company described the media reports as a “gross misrepresentation of facts”.
“Our attention has been drawn to some information circulating on social media and online news websites concerning ‘breaches’ in the privacy rights of Vodafone Ghana customers. This information is a gross misrepresentation of the facts,” the statement said.
It added, “In March 2020, The President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, passed an Executive Instrument (E.I. 63) that mandated the mobile network operators, including Vodafone Ghana to submit subscriber information known as call data records (CDRs) to the National Communications Authority (NCA).
“This formed part of the government’s contact tracing initiative in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. All the mobile network operators complied with the E.I 63”.
“The Executive Instrument was subsequently challenged by a customer, who filed an application at the High Court for an injunction to stop all mobile network operators from sharing his data with the National Communications Authority (NCA).
“Upon receipt of the injunction application, Vodafone Ghana immediately stopped the transmission of all subscriber data related to the contact tracing initiative, pending the court’s ruling on the case, scheduled for 23rd June 2020,” it said.
The statement, however, gave the assurance that the company would continue to protect the data of its customers while upholding the rule of law at all times.
“Vodafone Ghana has acted responsibly and transparently in abiding by the laws of Ghana and categorically rejects all claims that there has been a breach in the privacy rights of our valued customers.
“We will always uphold the rule of law and comply with our legal and regulatory obligations including the Data Protection Act,” it said.
Since Vodafon thinks giving our personal information without hesitating is abiding by the rule of law, we the subscribers would also abide by our own private right to data protection and unsubscribe from their networks, nonsense.
Vodafone Gh is beginning to sound useless to me, I strongly belief I entered into contract with you and it is incumbent on you to protect my data from anybody that may want to tamper with it.
The government could have find other means of tracing people that they think might be be exposed to the virus instead of relying on the telecos.
No wonder this inept government is planning to break MTN just standing by the truth.
How does sharing call data records (CDRs) come into play with COVID-19 contact tracing? Is COVID now transmisible through phone calls?
How do share my privacy data with a third party without my consent? Absolute nonsense!!!
Ask again. Sometimes people don’t ask the right questions.
Isn’t it absurd to say you can give something I shared in trust with you so easily to a third party without first seeking my concert?. Well if this is how Vodafone think it can address such a serious issue by issuing this nonsensical response,some of us who value our privacy have decided to act to protect our privacy. Am potting to other responsible network.
This is appauling, how can Vodafone share customers data with a third party so easily, in anyway, how was that data going to help in contact Tracing?
I’m very disappointed, This explanation is Nonsense!
Vodafone is becoming the most useless telecommunications network in ghana., how the hell do u have to share my data with a third party… And how can sharing of my data help in fighting the so called master mind Ghanaian covid_19….
This is sheer stupidity of the highest order that you have exhibited as a telecommuncatio. You sat there for …government to convince you to share your subscribers data for tracing of covid 19. with
Please can someone inform me, what works right in Ghana these days. Ghana has changed so fast. Under President Achampong things were even better.
vodofon reasoning ist unfounded and I advise subscribers to protect themselves right now.
I even stopped using my SIM card I don’t even know it’s whereabouts
Eii mmmm Vodafone is shocking me sef.
You submitted and stop by the injunction.admit.!!Knowing that personal data is not to be shared.You could have waited.MTN did not submit isn’t it part of it?
So all other telecom including did same as Vodafone. Looks like contributors already have issues with voda. If you are a loyal mtn customer it doesn’t mean you shd hate voda
Vodafone might have given out my privacy already but by way of my protest, I have ceased forthwith having anything to do with that company.
Imagine we had only one state owned telecommunication company in the country,will we be here insulting them,they will not even need your permission to get the data.Lets sometimes respect authority and decisions on executives managing some portion of our daily activities.