We only share your data when court orders, Safaricom clarifies

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndwgwa,

Safaricom has denied claims of sharing customers' data with third parties.

In a statement released on Thursday evening, the telco has said that customer data is only shared when a court orders.

“Safaricom notes various conversations regarding data privacy and sharing of customer information with security agencies and other third parties and wishes to make the following statement,” the telco’s statement reads in part.

“That we respect our customers' privacy and adhere strictly by the country’s data protection laws. As such we do not share any customer data unless explicitly required of us via a court order,”.

Safaricom has also explained that its Call Data Record system cannot show a live location. Instead, customers’ movements are generated after a call is terminated or once a text message is received.

Safaricom’s statement is in response to an article published in the Daily Nation, alleging that the telco shares customers’ information with law enforcers.

The article sparked outrage among Kenyans online, who expressed their disappointment in Kenya’s leading network provider demanding an explanation.

However, the company has assured users of an honest and transparent service.

Safaricom was recently awarded an ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) certificate by the British Standards Institute (BSI) after a vigorous audit of our adherence to the data privacy laws and policies.

This is the highest certification an organisation can attain in the management of privacy information systems, as a data controller or processor, a testament to our commitment to preserve our customer privacy and provide a worry-free experience on our network.