Post by soyeb45 on Jun 9, 2024 23:03:59 GMT -5
Studies have shown how these price control measures aim to ensure affordability and protect Afghan consumers from exploitation, particularly in regards to calls to high-cost destinations. Providers are required to publicly disclose their international call tariffs and any changes must be approved by the regulatory authority.
Researchers have also observed how the government has sought to incentivize the usage of legal international call channels by maintaining a significant differential between CRB Directory authorized and unauthorized/grey market rates. This has been done in an effort to curb the prevalence of illegal VOIP services and simbox fraud, which have historically posed challenges for the Afghan telecom sector.
Owing to Afghanistan's complex security landscape, the government has also instituted a range of regulations pertaining to the monitoring and lawful interception of international calls originating from Afghan phone numbers. Service providers are mandated to implement robust security measures and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
For instance, operators are required to maintain detailed call records, including caller/recipient identities, timestamps, and geolocation data. Researchers have highlighted how this metadata is routinely accessed by intelligence and law enforcement bodies for national security purposes, such as countering terrorism, organized crime, and other illicit activities.
Furthermore, the regulatory framework empowers government agencies to compel providers to perform real-time lawful interception of international communications when deemed necessary for investigation or public safety reasons. This has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates regarding potential overreach and infringement of privacy rights.
Efforts to Combat Illicit Financial Flows:
In recent years, the Afghan government has also sought to leverage international call regulations as a means of combating illicit financial flows and money laundering activities. Providers are now required to implement robust know-your-customer (KYC) processes for international call services, including verifying the identities of both parties to a call.
Researchers have also observed how the government has sought to incentivize the usage of legal international call channels by maintaining a significant differential between CRB Directory authorized and unauthorized/grey market rates. This has been done in an effort to curb the prevalence of illegal VOIP services and simbox fraud, which have historically posed challenges for the Afghan telecom sector.
Owing to Afghanistan's complex security landscape, the government has also instituted a range of regulations pertaining to the monitoring and lawful interception of international calls originating from Afghan phone numbers. Service providers are mandated to implement robust security measures and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
For instance, operators are required to maintain detailed call records, including caller/recipient identities, timestamps, and geolocation data. Researchers have highlighted how this metadata is routinely accessed by intelligence and law enforcement bodies for national security purposes, such as countering terrorism, organized crime, and other illicit activities.
Furthermore, the regulatory framework empowers government agencies to compel providers to perform real-time lawful interception of international communications when deemed necessary for investigation or public safety reasons. This has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates regarding potential overreach and infringement of privacy rights.
Efforts to Combat Illicit Financial Flows:
In recent years, the Afghan government has also sought to leverage international call regulations as a means of combating illicit financial flows and money laundering activities. Providers are now required to implement robust know-your-customer (KYC) processes for international call services, including verifying the identities of both parties to a call.