[size=14pt]Big brother! Govt to monitor phone calls[/size]

THE Federal Government may have concluded plans to push for legislators’ endorsement of electronic surveillance of telephone calls by security agencies to stem the tide of security challenges in the country.

The e-surveillance or eavesdropping will involve wire-tapping, through interception of telephone transmission by accessing the telephone signal itself.

It is similar to security arrangements in countries such as the United States (U.S.), Britain, China and Israel, among other nations, scripted mainly to detect unwholesome communications that could undermine national security. It also targets drug trafficking and money laundering.

Currently, a bill to that effect is being drafted for the National Assembly, with the current security challenges prompting the authorities to lobby the lawmakers to fast-track its passage.

When passed, the law would ensure codification of messages for easy interception by security agencies, which would also promote information sharing on a national security network to checkmate unwholesome plans that could promote insecurity in the country.

Telephone operators have however expressed reservations about the bill, stressing that it could compromise the privacy law currently operating in the country to protect phone users.

MTN pointed out in a statement from its head office yesterday that the plan needs to safeguard against bugging by unauthorised persons.

“MTN Nigeria’s network is subject to the same standard protocol that pertains across the world and cannot be intercepted by unauthorised persons. The company goes to extraordinary lengths to protect the confidentiality of its customers and data or call information are judiciously protected in strict compliance with the relevant laws,” the statement added.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would however not confirm the security eavesdropping plan, even as the agency affirmed an ongoing process to enact a law of Lawful Interception in the country.

In an interview yesterday in Abuja, Executive Commissioner, (Technical Services), Dr. Bashir Gwandu, told The Guardian that the order would not be effected until after its passage by the National Assembly.

Gwandu noted that in other countries where this is done, a court order must be obtained, adding that after the exercise, the security agency in question is still required to report back to the court or to the National Assembly with findings, for check and balances.

Also, Head, Public Affairs Unit of the commission, Rueben Muoka, told The Guardian that the commission has no power currently to give any such order to the security agencies, adding that as part of measures to fight crimes being perpetrated through the phone, there is an ongoing process to enact a law of Lawful Interception in the country.

Muoka noted that the law is not meant to invade into people’s privacy but to intercept criminal tendencies.

He said: “This doesn’t mean bulging people’s lines but to empower security agencies to intercept criminal tendencies using phones. If anybody is being tracked for criminal offence, the law, when enacted, would empower security agencies after certain procedures have been fulfilled to intercept.”

“There is no law that is made to infringe on people’s rights because they also have the right to challenge any infringement in the law court. This is democracy, so no law would be made to violate anybody’s rights but there is also a limit to every right.”

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63303:-big-brother-govt-to-monitor-phone-calls&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Problem, Reaction, Solution,

Hahahahaha

Listen,


[flash=400,400]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RbqLJ1C_VU&feature=related[/flash]

aloy/emeka:

[size=14pt]Big brother! Govt to monitor phone calls[/size]



http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63303:-big-brother-govt-to-monitor-phone-calls&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

How will they identify voices when they don't have data to track people?

aloy/emeka:

How will they identify voices when they don't have data to track people?

Like what type of data? Tell us.

So, if Mr A, a known person, makes a call that bothers on security, and the security agents intercept it- what other data are you talking about that they need to nab him? His pant size? or what?

Nothing people do that seems right in some people's opinion.