Privacy focus group
The wide range of questions raised at our privacy focus group in February 2007 highlights the breadth of issues this topic touches upon. Participants included seven privacy experts representing academia, industry, investors, NGOs, government and law enforcement authorities.
One of the key issues explored related to finding an appropriate balance between safeguarding customer privacy and assisting law enforcement authorities. Most participants were of the view that it is not the responsibility of mobile operators to question lawful requests for customer data from governments and law enforcement agencies. The main concern is about inappropriate commercial use of data, or theft of data by criminals rather than governmental access.
Requests for user data or assistance with surveillance from governments and law enforcement agencies may be more of a concern for companies operating in an undemocratic regime with a poor record on human rights. However, participants felt it would be unrealistic to expect companies to decide whether to comply with government requests on a case-by-case basis. The participants felt one of the key issues is to understand each country’s human rights environment and implications for privacy, and to have strategies for responding appropriately to ensure the best protection for user privacy.
The potential implications of targeted mobile advertising for customer privacy were also discussed. Participants generally agreed that it is legitimate to offer customers the choice to opt in to targeted advertising in return for cost benefits. The issue is how to obtain consent clearly and fairly. Some participants raised concerns about the type of advertising customers might receive and wanted reassurance that advertising standards would be upheld.