Police Officers Caught Selling Mobile Network Users’ Data

According to a notification from the Ministry of Interior, 72 investigative officers have access to telecom consumers’ data, based on sources from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

PTA’s investigations into 21 complaints of data leakage found police officers involved in the sale of data. Sources claim that police officers from Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh were involved. These officers were selling a consumer’s data for Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 and were earning up to Rs. 250,000 from the sale of this data.

Officers involved in the sale of data claimed their accounts were compromised upon being caught. PTA has sent a notification to the Ministry of Interior regarding the matter, telling the ministry of data leaks and sales through law enforcement personnel.

PTA has requested the Ministry of Interior to change its SOPs. A strategy should be devised to prevent data leaks through police officers and security personnel.