If you missed it, a new piece of legislation came into effect in June that requires all cellphone users to register their sim cards. I’m not going to get into why I agree with this and why I don’t, because I have my own views on it’s effectiveness.
However, I will share why I won’t be registering my sim card. In South Africa, identity theft is still a reality yet we are obliged to hand over all of our personal information to anyone who asks for it. I’m quite annoyed by this as I hate filling in documentation, but more importantly I don’t feel comfortable sharing my personal information with just anybody.
In the article, they mention that “all information will kept confidential in a secure database”. I would like to question how secure that database is if I can go to numerous outlets around the country to register. If it is so secure and confidential, then what happens if I need to update my information? How does someone at one of these outlets assist me? If they can retrieve and update my information, then I don’t trust the system because there are thousands of outlets and thousands of people who can access this information.
I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit and this is what I think is going to happen in 18 months when the registration window expires for existing sim cards. All the major mobile operator networks (Vodacom, MTN and Cell C) will submit a letter to government stating that they cannot de-active the sim cards that have not registered due to the large quantity and the effect it will have on their business. We will be granted an extension period.
What are your thoughts on RICA?
I reckon you’re 100% correct in all that you say…very valid points about security. Let’s be honest, most of the plonkers filling in these forms are not exactly the cream of the crop employees, and they’d be easy pickings for anyone wanting to ‘buy’ details! Then who’d take the rap? I mean, there is NO accountability in govt for anything, and if your ID gets swiped, you’d be left holding the can and needing to get all you crap sorted out again, with no retribution, etc.
Anyway, how exactly does RICA prevent anything? It’s so easy to lie your way through FICA or RICA, so what’s the deal actually? It’s another ‘control’ thing if you ask me! They can piss right off! I’ve been a Vodascum customer for 15 years…if they don’t know me by now its their fault, not mine. Dear Government…do your own house cleaning before coming to me!!!
If the mobile service providers were really serious about RICA cut-off dates they would have stopped selling the 99c sim cards at Pick n Pay a long time ago.
The girl who registered me didn’t even check my proof of address.
I think the main reason is that by registering, you give your mobile service provider the right to disclose your info to the government. That is something they could never have done before, because they’re private companies. Confidentiality issues.
So maybe they will just say,
“Okay we’re not switching off your sim, but we’re giving the Gov has access to your details.”
No?
I have yet to register. However, I did get 200 free sms’s this month with a request to register.
They expire on the 20th if I fail to do it by then…
Thus… so far im agreeing with you. Im in no mood to register a sim. Ive already had calls from people asking me if they can come see my house – what the viewing times are etc.
I’m not selling a house. Hell, I don’t even own one. They must be delusional to believe everyone with a mobile will register. Perhaps at some point. But not within the deadline… maybe in their own time.