Communications Minister Ursula Owusu Ekuful and Director-General of National Communications Authority (NCA), Joe Anokye, have both reiterated defence for the Kelni GVG deal that has been a source of controversy.
According to them, Kelni GVG equipment that will be used for real-time monitoring of telecoms traffic are not cable of spying on consumers.
The government has awarded an $89million five-year contract to the Haitian IT firm to do telecoms traffic monitoring, mobile money monitoring, revenue assurance and fraud management.
To do that, Kelni GVG would have to connect their equipment to the billing and other nodes of the telcos to be able to collect real-time data for verification among other things.
The law prohibits them from using equipment capable of accessing the content of communication like text, voice and videos for the job.
But telecom operators in the country have said in a statement the architectural design of the Kelni GVG equipment and the points to which they want to connect indicate to them that the equipment can access the content of the communication.
The telcos fear their subscribers could also sue them if it emerges that the revenue monitors listen in to their conversation.
But the Communications Minister said "if the privacy of their customers is their only worry then let me tell the telcos that they can go to bed because we got them covered. We are not interested in people's private conversations and will apply the law fully to ensure that the vendor does not breach anyone's privacy."
She further explained that the design of the monitoring equipment is such that whatever Kelni GVG sees, the telcos will automatically see in real time so if Kelni GVG violates anyone's privacy the telcos will know and report for immediate action..
The Minister further stated that under the new monitoring regime, various categories of communication content go through different channels, adding the monitoring equipment will only be connected and configured to collect data that is needed to verify the number of minutes and revenue and fraud-related information but not the caller identity or content of the communication.
The caller identities and content will be going through different channels, the Minister said.
The Minister and NCA boss made the comments duirng a tour of the Kelni GVG facilty with some selected senior jouranlists in Ghana.
The NCA boss added that "Privacy of customers is a genuine concern but…the equipment do not have the capability of spying on anyone, and even if it is we will know and take action."
He said the NCA has put measures in place to ensure the security and privacy of consumers.
Joe Anokye believes telcos are overplaying the privacy card probably because they have something to hide.
"We have visited four countries where each of these telcos operate and they are happy to comply with real-time monitoring so why are they apprehensive about the same system in Ghana? Is it because they have something to hide?" he quizzed.
Mr Anokye said the telcos cannot be interested in the security and privacy of Ghanaians more than the government.
He said unlike in previous contracts, the current deal ensures that the monitoring equipment will be situated on the premises of the NCA so that government can also monitor and ensure security for Ghanaians.
He assured the public that on the government of Ghana side, there are three data protection experts: a lawyer, an accountant and an ICT who are particular about details and have a job to protect Ghanaians.
Joe Anokye is confident the monitors will be connected by the June 11 deadline for work to begin.
The Minister earlier indicated that she will crack the whip on any telco that refuses to allow monitoring.
The law empowers the Minister to revoke the license of any operator that prevents monitoring.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS