Police can listen to mobile conversation
By AATAI JOHN LAUNGI
POLICE can now track any mobile phone conversations to assist them in their investigation on any criminal case that is highly classified.
This was revealed during the coroner hearing into the case of a dead couple that was found in their home at Mbuburu West Honiara two years ago.
This revelation has sparked public concern since privacy rights of people are being denied.
It was disclosed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) can now track down on any mobile phone conversations.
This is made possible through a technology device the Police is now being equipped with to help out in their investigation work on criminal cases that is of top priority and interest to them.
Some members of the public are unhappy with this revelation, thus questioned the two mobile operators in the country (Bemobile & Telekom) if there are some kind of law to protect their privacy.
But Our Telekom Assistant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Christina Lasaqa said they have no say on the matter.
“If it is for investigation purposes to help out in the work of police, then the company has nothing to say or do with it,” she said.
She further revealed that Our Telekom company can’t do much as it depends on the police when and how they use the device to track cell phone conversations.
Ms Lasaqa said that its the work of the police to carry out investigations and when if its necessary to track a mobile conversation during the course of investigation then, so be it.
Telecommunication Commission Solomon Islands Commission (TCSI) which is the regulator of services such as the use of mobile phones for communication reluctantly told this paper that they only issue license for companies or organizations that operate FM stations, ship radios, taxi fleets and suppliers of wireless radios.
