The Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has introduced Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system as a security measure of protecting mobile devices from theft and fraud.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Spokesperson for MACRA, Wezzie Nkhoma-Somba said they devised the system to curtail problems of rampant theft of mobile devices in the country.
“After seeing difficulties faced by the public when they lose their gadgets we came up with a system which will protect mobile phone subscribers from handset theft, combat mobile money fraud and identify fake or cloned mobile devices” she said.
Nkhoma-Nsomba added that the system will provide all privacy as it stores and utilizes International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEls) that identify the actual handset worldwide not sim card numbers and all transactions in the sim Card are under the privacy and security policies of Mobile Network Operator.
She therefore said It is only upon receipt of a report from a subscriber or the Malawi Police Service (MPS)that CEIR will be invoked to trace, block and blacklist the mobile device linked to the report using its IMEI.
Nkhoma-Somba argued the public to register for CEIR assuring that it will enhance security of mobile phone users and that of their handsets.
“This system empowers mobile phone owners by allowing them to trace or block their handset if is lost or stolen,” she said.
Reacting to the news, a student from the National College of Information Technology(NACIT), Ireen Banda said it is a welcomed initiative as the county is already at high risk of theft and fraud hence it will end the malpractice.
MACRA is implementing the project in partnership with the country’s two giant mobile communications providers; Airtel Malawi and Telecommunications Network Malawi (TNM).
Reporter By Sheminah Nkhoma
