08 July 2009.
Cell phone users will have to register their SIM cards within 18months. This is as a result of a new law, announced by Justice MinisterJeff Radebe, which came into effect on 1 July 2009.
The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act (also known as RICA) requires that all cell phone users have their details registered and verified by their service provider. This is an initiative to combat crime associated with cell phones in South Africa, such as theft and SIM card fraud.
According to an article on Fin24.com, existing cell phone users have 18 months in which to visit their service provider to register and verify their cell number, full name, identity number and address. Service providers are not allowed to activate SIM cards for new cell phone users without the customer registering and verifying their details. This applies to both pre-paid and contract subscribers.
An article on IOL.com outlines some of the difficulties that may be experienced when implementing this new law. One of the main obstacles will be to address the traders on the street who sell SIM cards for as little as 99 cents, and who will not be able to control the SIM card registration process. However, the strict penalties associated with not having a registered SIM card will catch up with them.
Tlali Tlali, the spokesperson for the Department of Justice, says that the service providers will have to pay hefty fines for their subscribers who possess unregistered SIM cards. However, the SIM card will automatically be deactivated should this occur, providing an inconvenience to the subscriber as well.
This new law has resulted in a heated debate since it came into effect a few days ago. Consumers are saying that their rights to privacy will be violated, and feel that the information that will become accessible to the police will fail to combat cell phone crime.
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