Safaricom Explains How to Check If Your Calls Have Been Forwarded to Police, Others and Cancel
Kenya has witnessed the rise of what has come to be known as the "Gen Z protests" against the Finance Bill 2024.
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Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa (r) during the Connect Africa Summit in 2024. Safaricom has responded to claims it is sharing customer data with police. Photo: Safaricom PLC. Source: Twitter
The protests have been mobilised through various social media platforms, and popular influencers have been tracked and allegedly kidnapped by Kenyan authorities.
As a result, Kenyans have started debates online regarding the role of telecommunication companies in the tracking of these activists to their locations.
Safaricom accused of forwarding calls to police
One user on the X platform caught the attention of telecommunications giant Safaricom after accusing the company of forwarding calls to the police.
@magwaz3 posted an image on X which read,
"Dear influencers/mobilizers, Safaricom allows NIS to illegally forward your calls to 0722188188 against your right to privacy."
How to cancel call forwarding
Safaricom flagged @magwaz3's post on X as misinformation and explained that Kenyans can check call forwarding on their phones by dialling *#62# and cancel any forwarding by dialling ##62#.
"Hi @magwaz3, 0722188188 is a call notify service that allow subscribers to be notified by means of an SMS of people who tried to call them while they were either busy, had their phones off, or were out of coverage. *#62# is to check call forwarding status. To cancel dial ##62#" said Safaricom.
This is part of a larger conversation that is happening online about data privacy and the suspected collusion between telecommunication companies and authorities in Kenya to breach privacy laws.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Brian Mwau, a leading cyber security consultant, explained that tracking is a complex process that uses advanced technologies.
"Tracking phones requires advanced technologies that law enforcement and surveillance units often employ to triangulate a person's location via cell towers. Your phone connects to multiple cell towers, and by measuring the signal strength from each, your location can be triangulated. This method is often used by mobile network operators," Mwau said.
"Smartphones also have GPS, which connects to satellites to determine your precise location. Just the way apps like Google Maps and Find My iPhone use GPS even security authorities can access your GPS and track you to your exact location," he added.
Safaricom denies collusion with police
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Safaricom issued a statement reassuring its customers that it was not sharing data with the police.
Safaricom explained that it does not share customer information unless explicitly required through a court order.