By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara has called for stronger regulation of SIM card registration, mobile money transactions and the management of citizens’ personal information, warning that existing gaps could expose innocent people to identity theft, fraud and other criminal activities.
Contributing to the parliamentary debate on the Data Protection Bill, Hon. Kamara said protecting citizens’ personal information must go beyond passing legislation and include addressing weaknesses in the operations of mobile network operators and institutions responsible for collecting and managing personal data.
He questioned the continued sale of SIM cards through unauthorized street vendors despite the requirement for subscribers to register their numbers using their National Identification Numbers (NINs). He warned that the practice could undermine accurate subscriber records and allow individuals to register SIM cards using other people’s identification details.
The MP also expressed concern over the recycling of inactive SIM card numbers by mobile network operators, noting that new subscribers could become entangled in criminal investigations involving activities committed by previous owners of the same numbers.
He cited instances in which individuals could be summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over offences committed using recycled numbers before they acquired them.
Hon. Kamara therefore urged mobile network operators to reconsider the practice of recycling old numbers, suggesting that issuing new numbers would help protect unsuspecting subscribers from being wrongly associated with previous criminal activities.
On mobile money services, he called for a comprehensive legal framework to regulate financial transactions conducted through mobile networks. He noted that mobile money had become an essential part of everyday life and stressed the need for stronger safeguards to protect customers against fraud and the misuse of personal identification details.
He further raised concerns about the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), particularly the need for a reliable backup system to safeguard citizens’ registration records and personal information. He called for clear distinctions between institutions responsible for collecting, accessing and protecting personal data to prevent conflicts in the management of sensitive information.
The MP maintained that effective data protection would require adequate institutional arrangements, resources and public education, rather than relying solely on the passage of legislation.
Turning to access to national identity cards, Hon. Kamara called for the introduction of mobile registration services to make it easier for residents in rural communities to obtain their identification documents without travelling long distances.
He cited the difficulties faced by residents in places such as Pujehun, who, according to him, sometimes have to travel to Kenema to access national identity card services.
He proposed that mobile registration teams should visit communities and sections to collect residents’ information, process applications and ensure that identity cards are delivered within a reasonable period.
Drawing comparisons with the organization of voter registration exercises, he suggested that similar arrangements could be adopted to bring national identification services closer to the people.
He also urged the Ministry of Communication to engage mobile network operators to ensure that SIM cards are sold and registered only through authorized outlets, with proper verification of subscribers’ identities.
Hon. Kamara stressed that an effective data protection framework must cover critical sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, healthcare and education, where inaccurate or inconsistent personal records could create serious difficulties for citizens.
He concluded by urging Parliament and relevant institutions to address practical challenges surrounding data collection, SIM card registration, mobile money transactions and access to national identification services to ensure that the protection of personal information translates into greater security and convenience for Sierra Leoneans.