Proposition 54K1964

Logo (Chamber of representatives)

Projet de loi portant modification de l'article 127 de la loi du 13 juin 2005 relative aux communications électroniques et de l'article 16/2 de la loi du 30 novembre 1998 organique des services de renseignement et de sécurité.

General information

Submitted by
MR Swedish coalition
Submission date
July 7, 2016
Official page
Visit
Status
Adopted
Requirement
Simple
Subjects
protection of privacy data processing secret service mobile phone personal data Internet access provider telecommunications terrorism

Voting

Voted to adopt
Groen CD&V Vooruit Ecolo LE PS | SP DéFI Open Vld N-VA LDD MR PP VB
Voted to reject
PVDA | PTB

Party dissidents

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Discussion

July 20, 2016 | Plenary session (Chamber of representatives)

Full source


President Siegfried Bracke

Mr Franky Demon, rapporteur, refers to his written report.


Peter Buysrogge N-VA

Mr. Speaker, our group is satisfied with this bill that fits within the framework of this government’s terrorist measures. I am also pleased that this was supported by the Commission.

Anonymous prepaid cards were introduced at the time to promote mobile calling. We can confidently say that goal has been achieved today. However, there is a reverse side to the coin of those anonymous prepaid cards. By anonymously exchanging phone numbers, terrorists manage to stay under the radar for too long. When police invade criminals, they too often find dozens of phones and SIM cards. Criminal gangs change their phone and anonymous call cards more often than their underwear, because they know it will be harder to track them. Therefore, this bill to abolish this anonymity.

Please note, it is still possible to work with prepaid cards, but therefore no longer anonymous. We give the police, intelligence and judicial services a little more armshake.

Our group will therefore support this project with enthusiasm.


Minister Alexander De Croo

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I thank you for your support.

We tried to find a balance. The prepaid cards have indeed been an important incentive for the market to grow. It is also an element that ensures sufficient competition.

There are about forty operators in our country and often it is the smaller operators that work prepaid, who ensure that there is innovation and that there is sufficient pressure on prices. It is in everyone’s benefit that mobile communication remains affordable. However, it is also very clear that anonymity, from a security perspective, is a problem. It has taken some time to find a solution that meets both issues. The design attempts to go as far as possible in terms of security level, but also to provide a solution that is not too administrative for people who are in good faith and who will be asked to register in order to communicate their name to the operators. There are six ways to do that. This can be done, among other things, in the store, online or by rechargeing to a payment machine.

I think we have found a solution that finds a balance in that area.

I would like to express my thanks to all those who have contributed to this, including from the sector, for bringing this up legally quickly.


President Siegfried Bracke

Does anyone ask for the word? (Not to)