Protect cellphone users' biometric data: BTRC

Amid the move to collect biometric information from mobile phone users through SIM registration flaks over security concerns, the country's telecom regulator has asked all the mobile telecom operators to assure protection of the data given by their respective subscribers.

The Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) came up with the directive in a letter sent to the mobile telecom operators. A copy of the letter has also been sent to Posts and Telecommunication Ministry, according to official sources.

In the letter, the BTRC directed the operators to preserve mobile phone users' biometric data only to Operators Biometric Verification Platform and to Central Biometric Verification Monitoring Platform.

In order to register a SIM card through this system, the subscribers have to give fingerprints, personal information according to their national identity cards to their respective mobile phone operators.

Mobile phone operators have been collecting the users' data in association with some foreign organisations through thousands of retailers and agents across the country.

However, many have expressed concerns that biometric data, provided to some foreign companies, might violate their privacy as well as be used for criminal activities.

Besides, they alleged the collection of such information might hamper the security and safety to the country's people and there is a huge risk that the database can be leaked to the international criminal network.