MTS, MegaFon say hope to find balance in data sharing plan

MOSCOW, Mar 18 (PRIME) -- Russian mobile operators MTS and MegaFon are in dialogue with the communications service as the government wants to oblige connection operators to give the watchdog information about subscribers, including calling and texting data, the operators told PRIME late on Wednesday.

“The connection operators are in dialogue with the regulator and will coordinate their position,” an MTS representative said, adding that the company is studying the document.

“It can be seen already that the list of the requested information is excessive, part of it relates to secrecy of communication, for example, on the type, facts, time of connection and data transfer, called numbers, the volume of data transfer, and identifiers of base stations.”

According to the government’s draft ruling, the information to be shared includes personal data and information about calls, comprising who calls or texts whom.

The Digital Development Ministry promised to keep communication secret. No content of calls or messages will be disclosed by the operators to the watchdog. The measure will clean the market from illegally sold SIM cards and reduce the number of frauds.

MegaFon said it is also in dialogue with the regulator. “We hope we’ll find a well-balanced decision that will allow the communications service to take into account interests of the subscribers and the operators under the law on connection,” an operator representative said.

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