Concern over chance of database hacking, leak
STAFF REPORTER
Participants in a discussion meeting yesterday observed that privacy of the consumers, citizens and the economy were hampered due to the voter's identity cards with photos and mobile companies' registration of the users.
"Privacy is a human right. But, it has been hampered as the subscribers, consumers and users have to provide all personal information in the voter ID cards and while buying SIMs of different mobile companies which may leak out from the country," they said.
Foreign companies involved with database maintaintenance and development in Bangladesh means the information of the country is available in other countries, which can be a threat to the national security.
Dr. Gus Hosein of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) noted it while speaking at a consultation on 'Privacy and the Protection of Consumer, Citizen and Economy' at the VIP Lounge of National Press Club yesterday. The event on the privacy issue was organised by Voice in co-operation with London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science and Privacy International.
He said, "Privacy law should be enacted in the country to protect citizens and consumers from the misuse of information and data abuse. For having background in information system, I have a positive notion on voter and national ID cards, but the information that have been taken from the people should be protected efficiently. Information missing, leaking out can jeopardise personal life of citizens as well as national security. As far as I know many international bodies are in the data collecting and selling businesses."
The international information security expert, also involved in Privacy International, said, "Mobile phone can be a tool for citizen surveillance and tracking whereabouts of them. Mobile phone operations and their outsourcing partners can locate you even when you do not speak by your phone. Wave of the mobile phone towers is enough to trace the mobile phone subscribers. Like computer towers can be hacked by terrorists and other intruders to locate their targets."
As chief guest of the event Justice Golam Rabbani said, There is a need for transparency in the society about the risks and privacy issues involved with using ICT and of the government and corporate actions in the realm of ICT.
"We should not ask people unnecessarily about their religions. Unfortunately in many papers of the government we have to mention religions. However, according to our constitution we are equal," he said.
Moderator of the event Ahmed Swapan Mahmud quoted from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, or to attacks upon his honour and reputation."
The declaration has also been included in Bangladesh Constitution (Article 12).
Mahmud said, "As internet use is increasing in Bangladesh, it needs to be a part of public education and awareness that there are measures citizens need to take in order to secure their own privacy and themselves".
"Worldwide the right to privacy has often and recently been undermined in many cases of government's determination of immediate 'national security issues'. At the same time as governments are prone to suppressing privacy rights, it is becoming increasingly necessary for individuals to protect themselves due to globalization. The increasing interconnectedness brought by globalization, while providing many opportunities, makes us more vulnerable and puts our security at risk," he said while presenting a paper on the topic.
In Bangladesh, people have more mobiles than there are in the Netherlands. According to records of 2006, 12 per cent of the Bangladeshi population, in other words over 21 million people, were registered as mobile users. And the mobile phone telephone sector in Bangladesh is growing rapidly. This upward trajectory has continued at an exponential rate with low priced handsets.
However, while mobile telephones are brining many positive changes - allowing people a freedom of communication and connectedness that removes them from space and time constraints - there are a number of measures taken by the Bangladeshi government that invade mobile phone user's privacy.
"To keep alive socio-psychological normality in the country we should make people aware of privacy issue and data security that will sensitise the government to protect data of people from the invade of outsiders," he added.
Mariya Martina of London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Saiful Haq, General Secretary, of Biplobi Workers Party of Bangladesh spoke at the event.
http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=106653
The Independent
2 December 2008
* Shahidul K K Shuvra
The Independent
Departmental Editor of IT and Science pages
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