Reps seek 18-month wait before inactive phone numbers are reassigned

In a move aimed at bolstering data protection and safeguarding citizens from digital fraud, Nigeria's House of Representatives has called for a significant extension in the period before inactive phone numbers can be reassigned. The lawmakers' resolution, urging the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to mandate an 18-month waiting period, directly addresses growing concerns about the potential for misuse of previously registered SIM cards.

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The House is aware that the said Nigerian Communications Commission guidelines mandate the network providers in Nigeria to deactivate and reallocate inactive SIM cards and phone numbers to new subscribers after a period of 180 days and later one year of dormancy without the knowledge of the former subscriber, as provided in their new Telecom Identity Risk Management Policy.

The core of the representatives' argument lies in strengthening compliance with the Data Protection Act of 2023. They highlighted the risks Nigerians face, including fraud, identity theft, and even wrongful criminal allegations, which can arise when phone numbers previously used by others are reallocated. The current practice, which allows for deactivation and reassignment after shorter dormancy periods, leaves former subscribers vulnerable, especially if their old numbers remain linked to sensitive personal information like Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identity Numbers (NIN).

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The House is also aware, as claimed by network providers, that it is not financially sustainable or profitable for them to retain inactive SIM cards on their network despite being registered with the initial subscribers’ data;

Sponsored by member Billy Osawaru, the motion proposes a more transparent process, including public announcements in national newspapers for SIM cards nearing reallocation. This added layer of scrutiny, coupled with reporting to the police, aims to make it easier to trace and resolve criminal activities linked to reassigned numbers. The representatives are clearly concerned that without stricter guidelines, the NCC's current policy, which they note is partly driven by network providers' claims of financial unsustainability in retaining inactive SIMs, could lead to significant data breaches and financial crimes.

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We are worried that many innocent Nigerians and other nationals have been embarrassed, humiliated and extorted, over false allegations resulting from reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers used to commit a crime by the previous user.

This legislative push reflects a growing awareness within Nigeria about the critical importance of data privacy in the digital age. While international discussions often focus on global tech giants, the Nigerian House of Representatives is demonstrating a commitment to protecting its citizens at a fundamental level – the security of their personal information tied to essential communication tools like phone numbers. The call for an 18-month wait is not just a procedural change; it's a proactive measure to fortify the nation's digital defenses against emerging threats.

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We are concerned that if not strictly guided and checked, reallocation of SIM cards or phone numbers to new subscribers could lead to data breaches, identity theft and financial fraud, especially when the numbers are still linked to the previous owner’s sensitive information, such as Bank Verification Number and National Identity Number.