Rule of biometric SIM registration
HC likely to resume hearing today
The High Court is likely to hold today the hearing on a rule issued by it asking the authorities concerned to explain why collecting information of citizens through biometric registration for mobile phone SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards should not be declared illegal. The HC bench comprising Justice Syed Mohammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq started the hearing on the rule on Sunday. After days proceedings the HC bench adjourned the hearing till Monday. But, it did not hold the hearing yesterday as the bench did not continue the days proceedings due to the death news of a judges relative. The lawyers concerned opined that if the bench sits for judicial function on Tuesday (today), it will likely to hold the hearing on the matter. On March 4, in response to a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer SM Enamul Huq, the HC issued the rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in a week as to why collecting the information of citizens through biometric registration of mobile phone SIM cards should not be declared unlawful. Advocate Muktadir Rahman, counsel for the petitioner, told The Independent that the petition challenged the legality of biometric SIM registration as collecting such private info of citizens by the mobile companies is not safe for the people. The counsel also said as the owners of mobile operators excluding Teletalk Bangladesh are foreigners the information may be leaked out from them. Collecting such information through biometric SIM registration should be scrapped, he added. After the hearing, the HC bench will give final order on the matter, he added.
