Biometric SIM registration �legal�
HC allows operators
to continue fingerprint collection; asks them to �strongly protect� customer�s data
After giving some directives and observations, the High Court yesterday disposed of a writ petition filed challenging the legality of biometric registration of mobile phone Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. In an order, the HC bench comprising Justice Syed Mohammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq cleared way for mobile operators to continue collecting fingerprints for biometric registration of SIM cards amid widespread criticism. The HC bench, however, directed the operators to strongly protect customer data obtained in this process. It also directed the Election Commission to preserve fingerprint document in a safe place by using strong password. The HC bench also directed the mobile operators to strongly follow telecom regulators directives, which were issued over registering the SIM cards. Additional Attorney General Murad Reza told The Independent that there was no legal bar for the operators to take fingerprint from the mobile users following the High Court verdict.
Now, everyone who is interested to use mobile SIM cards, have to register their SIMs through due process of law, he added. Advocate Anik R Haque, counsel for the petitioner, told reporters that the HC disposed of the petition with some observations and directives.
The authorities concerned have been directed to be more careful in registering the SIM cards so that the data, which were collected by the mobile operators during SIM cards registration, could be kept in a safe place by using strong passwords, he added.
During the hearing, Advocate Anik R Haque told the court that collecting such private information of citizens by the mobile companies is not safe for the people. He also said that as per the provision of the countrys law, the government could not force anyone by setting a specific timeframe to register their SIM before the completion of the National Registration of all citizens. But the BTRC has issued a circular asking the people to register their SIM cards within April 30. Otherwise, it said it would deactivate the SIM, which is illegal in the eye of the law, the lawyer added. Haque also said that the owners of five mobile operators except Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd are foreigners, so the information may be leaked out from them which can cause damage to the people and the country. Collecting such information through biometric SIM registration should be scrapped, he added. Supreme Court lawyer SM Enamul Huq on March 9 filed the petition challenging the legality of biometric SIM registration as collecting such private info of citizens by the mobile companies is not safe for the people.
Thirteen persons including secretaries to the home and law ministries, chairman of the telecoms regulatory body, chief election commissioner, NID registration wings chief and the mobile phone operators have been respondents to the rule.
At present, a mobile phone SIM card cannot be sold without verification of the buyers fingerprints, while the work to re-registering existing SIM cards by taking fingerprints of owners is continuing, set to end by April 30. The governments move for biometric SIM registration, which began in December last year, drew skepticism among customers about potential misuse of the information collected. Telecom Minister Tarana Halim has repeatedly told citizens to register respective SIMs in this process by April 30, otherwise, she warned, mobile connections will be suspended. Advocate Muktadir Rahman assisted Advocate Anik R Haque while Barrister Reza-e-Rakib and Barrister Sayed Mahsib Hossain moved for the respondents.
