The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a firm warning to loan app companies and telemarketers who are illegally using people’s phone numbers for commercial purposes without their consent.
The NCC stated that anyone caught engaging in this practice would face arrest and prosecution.
According to the telecom regulator, the unauthorized use of individuals’ phone numbers without their explicit permission is a violation of their privacy.
NCC disputes telemarketers’ false claims
It emphasized that telemarketers falsely claim to have obtained telecom subscribers’ phone numbers from the NCC or through the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Database, which the NCC refuted as untrue.
The NCC’s public notice, published on its website, highlighted the importance of protecting the privacy of telecom subscribers, citing relevant regulations and laws that safeguard consumer data.
It noted that no service provider or telemarketer is permitted to access or utilize subscriber data without the express consent of the consumer, except when authorized by law.
The Commission’s warning stressed that any telemarketer involved in illicitly harvesting telecom subscribers’ phone numbers and personal details for commercial purposes would face legal consequences, including arrest and prosecution