Who Really Owns Your Data? The Disturbing Truth About Somaliland’s Telecommunications.
In today’s digital economy, data is often referred to as the “new oil,” recognized not just for its economic value but also for its strategic significance. As Somaliland continues its quest for international recognition, it must first address a crucial issue: the ownership of its data. The realities of those who use telecommunications and banking services provided by companies affiliated with Somalia are alarming. It is time for the government and citizens to wake up to the consequences of rampant data exploitation.
When we deposit funds into services like ZAAD or e-Dahab, we are not merely engaging in a financial transaction. We are giving away pieces of our private lives—our spending habits, our communications, and our personal information—all of which wind up in the hands of companies whose primary operations are rooted in Mogadishu, not Hargeisa. Two major telecommunications firms operate in Somaliland: Somtel and Telesom, both linked to Somalia. The implications of using their services extend far beyond convenience; they put Somalilanders at risk by allowing their data to be siphoned off to a government that has openly expressed hostility toward Somaliland’s aspirations.
Imagine this scenario: hundreds of thousands of Somalilanders are depositing money into their mobile accounts daily, with each transaction and phone call registered in databases managed far from their control. In a city like Hargeisa, if even half a million citizens each deposit a modest sum, this can easily aggregate to a billion dollars—a staggering figure. These telecommunications giants, profiting from this data flow, may also sell user information or track behaviors to create targeted advertisements. This allows them to manipulate the daily lives of Somalilanders, capitalizing on personal information to maintain their market dominance. Why, then, are we allowing such a situation to persist?
Our predicament is compounded further by the actual ownership of banks in Somaliland. Many banks here are owned by Mogadishu-based interests, and like telecommunications companies, they lack any genuine allegiance to Somaliland. When you engage with these financial institutions, you’re often inadvertently feeding information that the central government in Somalia can exploit, potentially undermining Somaliland’s security.
The absence of stringent regulations and a clear legal framework around data ownership makes us vulnerable to exploitation. Somaliland’s Protection of Personal Information Act is a step in the right direction, yet it does not explicitly define data ownership, leaving ambiguity and practical gaps for those who operate within our emerging digital economy.
This situation endangers not just your data but your very sovereignty. Any time you use Somtel, Telesom, consider where your personal information goes and how it can be used against you. Security departments, government ministries, and everyday citizens habitually use these services without understanding the risks involved. Every phone call, every transaction, accumulates into a profile that could be misused at any time, either politically or financially.
If Somaliland is serious about gaining recognition on the world stage, the government must prioritize control over its data. Consider the implications of conducting routine governmental tasks, where sensitive information is transmitted through systems that are not under Somaliland’s direct control. If these services are fundamentally rooted in a reservation of power by Mogadishu, then Somaliland risks not just economic exploitation, but also potential sabotage during sensitive negotiations for autonomy or recognition.
The case for Somaliland’s internal data governance becomes clearer when it is said that telecommunications giants will not remain in business if Somaliland gains its legal recognition. The key to altering this narrative is addressing data sovereignty. As experience indicates, robust recognition from Western nations, including the United States and European Union, could transition our telecommunications sector to more reputable, international players who prioritize data security and consumer rights.
The looming question is: what is preventing Somaliland from asserting its own frameworks around data ownership? Existing partnerships with companies from Mogadishu may be more of a hindrance than a help to the recognition process. While we continue to rely on these entities, we are inadvertently supporting a status quo that treats our aspirations as second-class desires.
Now is the time for the Somaliland government to take power back into its own hands. First, it must establish comprehensive policies on data ownership and privacy. Investments in local technological infrastructures can catalyze the emergence of secure, independent alternatives in telecommunications and banking—ones that bolster Somaliland’s economy while guaranteeing protection of individual data rights.
We call upon our leaders not only to support a strong legal framework for data ownership, but also to educate our populace on why this is crucial for our national security and sovereignty. If we do not act now to control our data, we risk perpetuating a cycle where foreign powers dictate our future while we remain oblivious to the forces operating just beyond our borders.
