In a bold response to recent accusations, Safaricom PLC has issued a statement refuting claims that it shares user location data with security agencies. The company, Kenya’s largest telecom provider, took to social media to clarify its stance on data privacy following a report by Nation Africa that suggested it was actively assisting the government in tracking activists and other dissenting voices by providing location data.
In the newly published statement, Safaricom maintains that it respects customer privacy and strictly abides by Kenya’s data protection laws, sharing customer information only when compelled by a court order. Safaricom also clarified that its Call Data Records (CDRs) — which log call and text activity — do not include any live location tracking, as the records are generated post-call and used strictly for billing purposes.
Moreover, Safaricom highlighted its adoption of a Fraud Management System (FMS) by Neural Technologies back in 2012, which supports fraud detection on the network without third-party data access. To underscore its commitment to privacy, the company pointed out that it recently earned the ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) certification, awarded by the British Standards Institute (BSI), marking a significant endorsement of its privacy practices.
But Safaricom’s response doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it comes against a backdrop of broader government surveillance initiatives. This week, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) rolled out a new receipt challenge urging consumers to demand tax receipts at every purchase to help curb tax evasion. This initiative offers a prize of Kshs 1 million to citizens who report fraudulent businesses, thereby mobilizing everyday Kenyans in the government’s tax crackdown. Additionally, there’s been talk of a controversial government proposal to mandate that all mobile phones in the country be registered, along with their unique IMEI numbers — a step seen by some as a potential privacy risk.
These developments have fueled concerns about surveillance and the extent to which telecom companies are expected to cooperate with authorities. As Safaricom moves to reassure its users, it remains to be seen how the public and privacy advocates will react, especially as government agencies ramp up efforts to collect digital data.
For now, Safaricom’s message is clear: data privacy isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a commitment. The telco insists it will continue to protect customer trust, positioning itself as a responsible custodian of user information amidst a rapidly changing digital landscape. Whether this statement will be enough to quell public concern remains the question, especially as conversations around privacy and security only intensify in Kenya’s tech-savvy society.
Below is the full statement:
