Namibia scraps mandatory collection of biometric data during nationwide SIM card registration exercise

WINDHOEK, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) on Friday issued a directive to telecommunications operators that the mandatory capturing of biometric data will no longer be required for SIM card registration, in the absence of a data protection legislative framework.

Namibia in January commenced with the mandatory SIM card registration exercise, a national initiative aimed at facilitating the investigation of crimes committed with the aid of telecommunications devices and enhancing e-commerce activities and online trading.