Security operatives may soon be armed with the legal authority to access private communications either through telephone calls or e-mail messages if plan to introduce Lawful Interception by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) scales through. The excuse is security. But at what point will they draw the line with the right to privacy?

If there is anyone out there who still latches on to his right to privacy and thinks the telephone is one of such platforms for heart-to-heart discussions, no matter what the topic is, the time to have a rethink might have come. It's official now- the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) plans to introduce lawful interception (LI), a legally sanctioned official access to private communications, such as telephone calls or e-mail messages in a bid to enhance national security, prevent crime and aid criminal investigations.

Under this initiative which is in response to a warrant from a judge, lawful interception is performed simply by applying a 'tap' on the telephone line of the target, making it possible for security agencies in Nigeria to listen to terrorist and criminal cell phone calls and then gather intelligence on their activities through such communications.

Drawing its powers from Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and all other powers enabling it in that regard, the commission however said it has not fixed a date for the take-off of the controversial policy which critics said can be used by repressive governments to intimidate the opposition.

A draft guideline posted on the NCC website requires service providers and Internet service providers to implement their networks to explicitly support authorised electronic surveillance. But that would not be by choice as a fine of N5 million is said to await any service provider or any of its officers who fail to comply with the provisions of the regulation.

The lawful interception has existed since the inception of electronic communications in the form "wiretapping"; it has become increasingly necessary now because of the sophistication of criminal enterprises in exploiting emerging communications channels. In fact, office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) was said to have in early 2010 summoned all telecommunications operators in the country to a meeting where it tabled the proposed initiative.

As good as the idea seems, especially in the face of growing terrorism in the country, its downside is what has constituted concern for many, especially when situated within the context of privacy. Besides, there are strong indications that government- hiding under the cover of security- has already begun to repress perceived enemies by tapping into their phone lines

SOURCE- Nigerian info 99.3