Safaricom Refutes Claims of Data Sharing with Police, Stands by Privacy Policies

Safaricom Refutes Claims of Data Sharing with Police, Stands by Privacy Policies

By Orenge Wycliff

Telecommunications provider Safaricom has clarified its stance on customer data privacy, affirming that it only discloses data to law enforcement when mandated by a court order.

This announcement follows a report from the Daily Nation, which alleged that telcos provide unrestricted access to sensitive data like Call Data Records (CDRs) to security agencies for tracking suspects, sparking concerns over potential privacy violations.

In its response on Thursday, Safaricom emphasized its commitment to safeguarding customer information and adhering to Kenya’s data protection laws. The company clarified that CDRs, while part of its billing process, do not capture live location or movement details of users.

“For clarity, a Call Data Record (CDR) is only generated after a call ends or a message is sent, solely for billing,” the telco stated. “Real-time tracking is not a feature of CDRs, and we do not share any customer data unless a court order demands it.”

Safaricom highlighted that since 2012, it has utilized a Fraud Management System (FMS), developed in collaboration with Neural Technologies, a global player in fraud prevention for telecommunications. The system, which spans all of Safaricom’s business lines—including mobile money—prevents unauthorized access to customer data.

Safaricom also pointed to its recent achievement of ISO 27701 certification for its Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) by the British Standards Institute. “This certification is a significant milestone, marking the highest standard in privacy information management and underlining our dedication to secure, privacy-compliant operations,” the company asserted.

The telco reassured customers of its longstanding transparency and commitment to data privacy, noting, “We remain devoted to maintaining the trust we have earned from our users, offering a worry-free experience on our network.”