Police, telcos should be sued for privacy breach
The findings raise concerns about possible usage of customers’ mobile phone records to aid rampant abductions and extrajudicial killings reported in the country, especially in wake of and even prior to the June Gen Z protests.
Immediate legal action should be taken against telecommunication companies that collude with the police to breach the privacy of their clients.
The alarming and sad part of the whole saga is that the police, who should enforce the law, have been “engaging in illegal activities with the telecommunication firms as their accomplices.
Now that the United States of America envoy Meg Whitman has also condemned the regrettable action, the international community should be mobilised so that legal measures can be taken against these firms. Kenyans should also gang up and say “enough is enough” and let the telecoms firms search for their bases elsewhere on the globe.
Infringing on the privacy of individuals or groups is a gross violation of human rights and immediate legal action needs to be taken against the firms and the police. To worsen matters, there is the element of abductions and extrajudicial killings.
Who shall save Kenyans?
Damson Opiyo Onger, Kisumu
I writing in regards to the story carried in the Daily Nation on Tuesday about the Kenyan police spying on our phones. This is a troubling sign that the leadership of this country has gone too far. Such actions indicate that we are entering an era of dictatorship.
We must recognise that we are a democratic nation, and as such, we have the right to express our thoughts, opinions and feelings about the state of the nation. This fundamental right intersects with laws on personal privacy.
It is concerning that the police can violate our privacy in the name of protecting the nation. If they seek information, I suggest they explore alternatives that do not involve invading our privacy.
The Kenyan police and National Intelligence Service should be sued for this breach. Otherwise, people will develop fear and freedom of speech and expression will be eroded, allowing the leadership of the day to misuse power and continue to abduct Kenyans.
Kenyans, it is upon us to wake up from our slumber and take action. The law on privacy is being tested and we should voice our concerns as soon and as much as possible.
Charles Wanjohi, Nairobi
