Latest update March 31st, 2025 6:44 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Jail faces cell phone, SIM card retailers for poor record keeping

Oct 18, 2008 News

Failing to report a lost or stolen cellular phone or SIM cards; not recording if you give your cell or SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) to someone, or plain not registering your contact information, such as home address, if you own a cell or SIM could have some serious repercussions soon.

The penalty is a fine of $25,000, or a lengthy jail term.

This will all become reality when the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill, which was approved in the National Assembly, is assented to by the President.

Presented by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the Bill was touted as seeking to regulate and properly account for the thousands of cellular phones and SIMs where ownership is difficult to trace.

He noted that there were currently some 600,000 cellular phones in use, as against the 100,000 landlines that are registered.

It was pointed out during the debates that, apart from the regulatory aspect of the Bill, it seeks to be an effective tool in the investigation of crime.

The legislation compels telecommunication operators as well as cell phone and SIM cards retailers to collect and store information, such as ID and addresses, at its own cost.

Leader of the main opposition party, PNCR, Robert Corbin, told the House that the Bill in isolation would not pose a difficulty in an orderly society, given that the cell phone and SIM cards are just an advance in technology and registering them properly is required.

In that regard, he supported the Bill. He, however, pointed out that the Bill in the context of the Interception of Communication Bill was part of the architecture that seems to support the machinery of a repressive State.

The Alliance For Change (AFC), however, shared a different view on the proposed amendments to the principal Act.

According to Trotman, the legislation firstly asks the retailers of cell phones and SIM cards, within 12 months of the assenting of the legislation, that the 600,000 cell phones and possible higher figure of SIMs in use be properly registered at the expense of the retailer.

Failing to so do would result in a severe penalty. But, according to Trotman, it was impossible for the companies to fully comply with the legislation in the stipulated time.

This, he said, was not because they would refuse to, but because they lacked the capacity. They would be criminalised.

He failed in a bid by way of an amendment to have the minister change the amendment from ‘failing’ to comply, with ‘refusing’ to comply.

Trotman also questioned how the typical youth of today will be able to purchase a phone with no ID or proof of address.

He also noted that the culture of youth was such that the legislation would unnecessarily criminalise the youth because of the requirements of having to register each time they lend their phones for extended periods, or exchange their phones.

Trotman also questioned whatever happened to the ‘Super database’ that was announced recently, and pointed to the fact that this piece of legislation that was eventually approved was an ominous sign of heading towards the phenomenon of police state.

He defended his statement by pointing to the other Bill that was passed in the House last evening to legalise wiretapping of phones and the interception of mail and messages, among others.

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 28th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Mar 31, 2025

-as Santa Rosa finish atop of Group ‘B’ Kaieteur Sports- Five thrilling matches concluded the third-round stage of the 2025 Milo/Massy Boys’ Under-18 Football Tournament yesterday at the...
Read More
Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Mar 31, 2025

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach masterclass

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach...

Mar 31, 2025

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant fashion

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant...

Mar 31, 2025

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin, Waramuri Sec’ remain unbeaten

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin,...

Mar 30, 2025

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20, Over-40

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20,...

Mar 30, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]