Vodafone's Disclosure Report reveals global scale of mobile phone surveillance
The world's second largest mobile phone company, Vodafone, says at least six unnamed governments can use its phone system to monitor customers whenever they want. ● The company's Disclosure Report says most governments need "legal notices" to access its networks, but there are six nations - which is says it cannot name for legal reasons - that have direct access. It says in those countries authorities have inserted their own equipment into the network or have diverted all data through government systems so they can permanently access customers' communications. "In a small number of countries the law dictates that specific agencies and authorities must have direct access to an operator's network, bypassing any form of operational control over lawful interception on the part of the operator
," the company said. It added that in Albania, Egypt, Hungary, India, Malta, Qatar, Romania, South Africa and Turkey it could not disclose any information related to wiretapping or interception. Vodafone, which has 400 million customers in countries across Europe, Africa and Asia, said it had received requests in 29 countries.
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