Safaricom is heading to the High Court after talks to settle a major data theft case failed. The company had tried to resolve the matter out of court, but the discussions collapsed.
The new scandal involves the alleged theft of personal data belonging to 11.5 million Safaricom subscribers.
Two former senior managers are accused of accessing and sharing customer information without permission. The data includes names, ID and passport numbers, phone contacts, birth dates, locations, and betting records.
The two managers are said to have shared the information with businessman Benedict Kabugi, who planned to sell it to a top sports betting firm. The deal was discovered before it went through, and legal action was taken against those involved.
Safaricom, one of Kenya’s biggest telecom companies, now faces a full hearing at the High Court.
The data breach has caused public anger, especially because it exposed sensitive details like people’s betting histories. Many Kenyans are questioning how safe their personal data is with big companies.
The case has also raised bigger questions about data protection and privacy in Kenya. The court’s decision could set an important example for how companies handle customer data in the future.
The outcome of the case could affect not only the image of Safaricom, but also the trust of millions of its subscribers.
By BNN Writer.