By Prince Osuagwu
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has allayed fears that its new Device Management System, DMS, designed to strengthen Type Approval compliance for mobile devices in Nigeria, could give the regulator access to users’ personal data and communications.
The Commission, in a statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, maintained that the insinuation was unfounded, stressing that the platform was designed solely for device identification and regulatory compliance.
The clarification followed concerns over the Commission’s plan to electronically determine the Type Approval compliance of SIM-enabled devices through the DMS, which is being deployed to improve oversight of the country’s communications device ecosystem.
According to the NCC, the system will maintain device identification information, including the International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, numbers of devices operating in Nigeria, but will not provide access to the contents of users’ devices or personal communications.
