As I mused earlier, this was a golden opportunity for marketing for the cellular providers.
So what do we find now?
We now have sightings of cellular providers exploiting your personal details for marketing:
On my most recent call I was informed that they got my info from the RICA database, to which all service providers have access (even their telemarketers, it seems). So much for confidentiality.
One of the intentions of RICA was to be able to identify the perpetrators of criminal activity that uses cellular communications for their activities.
However, it seems this was not fully understood by all.
It seems the verification process was extremely flawed in it's execution. People were standing on street corners, and thanks to Smartcall, simply RICA'ing numbers left, right and center for a few rands. There was no proof of residence required, but rather in typical South African fashion, money talked:
"I didn't mind paying R10 to Rica my SIM card. I wasn't asked for proof of residence. I just told them my address and they did it. I didn't have a problem because it was convenient for me," said Ian Nkala.
For those that used the normal procedures, myself included, this is a slap in the face.
Let us also give the devil his due: Kudos to the providers that worked hard to make this happen in the correct way, despite a few flaws. Well done!
To Smartcall: Please add the "Continued illegal wealth redistribution" to your list of sponsorships.
So fellow South Africans, be ready for the next wave of "You have won the lottery" or "Nedbank/Standard Bank/First National Bank" phishing emails originating from your favourite cellular provider's network from a RICA'ed number ....
