Legal notice seeks halt to biometric SIM registration

A Supreme Court lawyer on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, serves a legal notice seeking halt on biometric registration for subscriber identity module (SIM) cards of mobile operators claiming it violates privacy and has a potential malafide purpose. Star file photo

Star Online Report

A Supreme Court lawyer today served a legal notice seeking a halt to biometric registration for subscriber identity module (SIM) cards of mobile operators claiming it violates privacy and has a potential malafide intention.
Lawyer Md Humayan Kabir Pallab also added concerns that the biometric data, supplied to some private companies, might be used for criminal activities.
The lawyer served the notice on behalf of Khairul Hasan Sarker, a citizen from Segun Bagicha in Dhaka. The collection of biometric data is absolutely illegal, arbitrary, malafide and without any substance of state security, he said in the legal notice.
Post and telecommunication secretary, law secretary, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), inspector general of police (IGP), Dhaka metropolitan police commissioner, Grameenphone, Robi Axiata Ltd, Airtel Bangladesh Ltd, Banglalink Ltd, Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd, and Pacific Bangladesh Ltd (Citycell) have been made respondents to the legal notice.
The notice also said that the collection of such information shall be seriously prejudicial to the safety and security of his client as well as the whole society and it will create potential risk in circulation of such database to national in international criminal organisations, network or syndicate.
The lawyer requested the government and mobile phone operators to stop collection of biometric data and fingerprint within two days, saying that he will file a writ petition seeking necessary order with High Court if the collection of such information is not stopped in two days.

Sujon doubts fairness of UP polls

Star Online Report

A civil society platform today criticised the role of the Election Commission ahead of the upcoming Union Parishad polls and doubted the fairness of the election.
The commission (EC) has failed to create a level playing field for all, alleged Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujon) today.
Alleging EC’s inaction over complaints that candidates were facing hindrance to file nomination, Badiul said “these incidents have raised concerns whether the UP polls will be free and fair.”
The Union Parishad elections will be held across Bangladesh in six phases, the first of which begins March 22. The elections will continue until June. This is the first time the elections will be held in partisan manner.
Sujon secretary Badiul questioned the ability and neutrality at a press conference arranged weeks ahead of the polls at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
Talking to reporters after the press conference, Sujon President Hafiz Uddin Khan claimed that no election was free and fair under the current Election Commission since 2014.
“Although the current EC was provided with enough power, they are not utilising it. As a result, election related problems are not being solved,” he said.
Hafiz Uddin, also a former caretaker government advisor, urged the government to hold a free and fair Union Parishad election without influencing it.

After ATM scam Foreigners under scanner

Foreigners dwelling in Bangladesh now under scanner in light of exposure of a German citizen being involved in the recent ATM scam. Photo: TV Grab.

Star Online Report

Foreigners dwelling in Bangladesh are now under the scanner in light of the exposure of a German citizen being involved in the recent ATM scam.
“After involvement of a German was found in ATM scam, we are keeping a close eye on them” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today.
“There are many foreign citizens involved in many activities in our country such as non-government organisations, garments, businesses and others,” he added.
A German citizen is Thomas alias Piotr Szczepan Mazurek, and three bank officials have been arrested over the scam where Tk 20 lakh was swindled out from ATM booths in Dhaka.
In recent development, the foreign national spilled names of 50 individuals and institutions, that includes hotels, restaurants and musicians, involved with the scam.