Police Want Government to Put Measures in Place to Trace Calls

The Police have asked the Government to put in place measures that will allow for cellular calls to be traced as part of strategies to fight crime, Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding has said.
“The Police have complained about the effect of cell phone usage in facilitating crime. The cell phone is a wonderful thing. It has brought magic to everyday life, but it has also brought magic to criminals and it is playing an increasingly significant role in the commission of crime. We are going to have to respond,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Golding, who was closing the debate on the Cyber Crimes Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives on February 16, added that he has sought advice on the matter from Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne.
“The matter has not been to Cabinet. I have asked the Attorney General to examine the existing provision. The intention is subject to legal guidance, either through exercising authority that we have under the licences or if necessary, coming to Parliament and asking Parliament to enact legislation. We are going to have to impose a requirement that when you go to purchase a cell phone or a SIM card, you are going to be required to produce your identification, which must be recorded,” Mr. Golding said.
He noted further that telecommunications service providers have a responsibility under the Act to exercise due diligence about the use of its facilities.
“A service provider provides a highway and we are saying to the service provider, you have to police the highway. You have to play a role in policing the highway to make sure that people are not using your highway to commit crime. You are going to have to do your own due diligence, put in your security systems, because this wonderful facility that has transformed the lives of all of us is potentially lethal and, therefore, have to be handled with great care,” Mr. Golding emphasised.
The Cyber Crimes Act imposes criminal sanctions on the misuse of computer systems or data. Offences covered include intentional unauthorised access to computer data; access to computer programmes or data, with intent to commit an offence; intentional unauthorised modification of a computer programme or data; unauthorised interception of computer function or service; willful unauthorised obstruction of the operation of a computer or denial of access to a computer programme or data; and unlawfully making available, devices or data for the commission of any of the above offences.
The Bill also makes consequential amendments to the Interception of Communications Act, the Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters) Act, and the Proceeds of Crime Act.