Unverified SIMs and crime

The Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) meeting at the Karachi Governor's House on Sunday concluded that the issuance of unverified Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is a major cause of criminal activities and a hurdle to investigation of crime. In a statement issued after the meeting, the committee also lamented that "over 90 percent of the crimes are committed through mobile phones but it becomes difficult to trace out the culprits due to lack of sophisticated equipment and computer software." On the face of it, the suggestion seems to make sense that SIMs should be issued on the basis of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) only so that they are traceable and misuse prevented. The condition though is not of much help in tracking down criminals. It creates unnecessary problems for ordinary subscribers, and may also be seen as an invasion of privacy. There is a reason why in most other countries there is no such condition. Almost everywhere anyone, including foreign visitors, can acquire a SIM without having to furnish detailed personal information. It is almost impossible to stop the use of unverified SIMs. Take the case of multiple SIMs issuances to different people on the basis of one CNIC without the legitimate user's knowledge. Most SIMs used by criminal elements are thus obtained. It is pertinent to recall here that two years ago, ie, in October '09, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced it was launching a new system of SIM information and verification, whereby a subscriber would be able to find out the total number of SIMs registered against his/her CNIC number with each mobile operator. If the CPLC is still talking about the need to prevent use of unauthorised SIMs that shows the remedy lies elsewhere: cell phone service providers. The CPLC statement talks about lack of sophisticated equipment and computer software. In order to increase its efficiency, the committee should upgrade its technical infrastructure. However, that is not the only way to find criminals abusing cell phones. The mobile phone companies maintain a record of all communication activity that goes on through their respective systems. They can also trace the location from where a phone is used. These companies, of course, are supposed to protect consumer privacy, but in the event of a crime, the CPLC or the police, can always access their record to reach a criminal. There is no point therefore in causing unnecessary problems for ordinary cell phone subscribers; instead, CPLC should look for more innovative schemes to curb crime and catch criminals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2011