RE: Misleading Consumer Privacy Breach Claims

The attention of the National Communications Authority (NCA) has been drawn to some misleading media reportage regarding breach of privacy of consumer information.

The NCA would like to clarify that in March, 2020, we requested passive mobile positioning data logs from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for undertaking historical and current analysis of persons potentially infected with COVID-19 for contact tracing purposes in accordance with the Establishment of Emergency Communications Systems Instrument, 2020 (E.I. 63). The Instrument required network operators or service providers to cooperate with the NCA Common Platform to provide information to State agencies in the case of an emergency including a public health emergency.

All MNOs i.e. AirtelTigo, Glo, MTN and Vodafone, complied with the request for information which was subsequently processed and forwarded to the Ghana Health Service for contact tracing purposes. There was no objection by any Party in respect of COVID-19 contact tracing data request until an application for injunction order was filed.

The NCA would like to assure consumers and the general public that there has been no breach of personal data and privacy in the compliance of MNOs to the requirements of law.

Issued by the National Communications Authority:

No. 6 Airport City, Accra

Tel: (0)30 – 2776621/2771701 or 050-145-1522/3. E-mail: [email protected]
Date –19th June, 2020