The ethical dilemmas of cellphone companies operating under authoritarian regimes

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OPINION: As cellphones have taken over the way we communicate, ethical issues have emerged for cellphone operators, particularly those that work in countries where governments demand information on subscribers, writes Shannon Ebrahim.

As cellphones, text messages and video calls have taken over the way we communicate with one another, ethical issues have emerged for cellphone operators. Particularly companies that work in countries where governments demand information on subscribers, often times with a view to monitoring dissidents and opposition activists.

While MTN has always been categorical in its stated commitment to the core values and principles of the new South Africa, when operating in other countries which do not uphold those same democratic values, it has become an ethical dilemma, especially when the company is pressured to capitulate to the demands of those governments.

MTN has said that it uses subscriber data to help it profile and market to its customer base, and that such data was never supposed to be used to identify and track the activities of individuals. But that did happen, especially during rallies or anti-government protests. But MTN accepts that there are ethical complexities around telecommunications in this new digital environment, and the potential is there for their manipulation for unethical means.

MTN has responded to such allegations saying that, “MTN remains politically impartial in all its operations, including in Swaziland and does not subscribe to any political party, movement or affiliation.” But even during the recent unrest and protests in Eswatini, opposition activists continue to allege that MTN collaborates with the government to monitor their phone calls and block access to the internet.

 

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