NTC tells telcos to store phone data for 6 months

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would soon require telecom operators to archive text and call records for six months to protect subscribers from erring users, GMANews.TV learned Sunday. In a draft circular called Data Log Retention of Telecommunications Traffic, the regulator said the proposed circular is vital in prosecuting consumer complaints. The circular aims to address problems of harassment, prank calls, malicious text and stolen handsets. The circular said telcos shall retain records on both voice calls and non-voice traffic such as short messaging system (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS) and other similar telecommunications services carried over the Internet. In addition, telcos should record traffic data on the origin, destination, date, time and duration of communications. The telecom operators should also archive records for two months for basic post-paid telephone service; six months for other telecommunications services and/or until excused by NTC for records requested in connection with pending complaints. Currently, the period of storing text and call data varies depending on the telecom companies. The circular will allow the NTC and the complaining subscriber access to these records upon a formal written request and only in connection with a pending complaint. "The records shall not be made available to any other person or party without a court order or a written consent from the subscriber," the circular added. The regulator also said that the non-compliance with and or violation of the circular will be penalized. In a separate circular proposed tilted “Consumer Protection Guidelines," the NTC said the implementing rules on consumer protection will address widespread complaints and further promote consumer welfare and protection. The circular covers all broadcast and public telecommunications entities including value added service and content providers and cable operators. "A subscriber shall have a right to be treated equally as other similarly situated consumers. Any data supplied by the consumer shall be confidential and shall not be used for purposes not authorized by him," the circular said. Also, upon subscription, users shall be informed of his right to privacy and the manner by which his data would be protected. The NTC said complaints must be filed with the regulator in the form prescribed for the purpose. Complaint forms are available at the One Stop Public Assistance Center of the NTC Main Office, Regional Offices. - GMANews.TV