Forum reply on The Straits Times Online, 25 January 2016

Mr Terence Teo asked if telco charges to mask his mobile number might be contrary to the Personal Data Protection Act ("Telco charges contrary to personal data Act"; Forum Online, Jan 3).

There is no breach because it is the mobile phone operators' practice to obtain consent from the subscriber that his number will be disclosed to the recipient when he makes an outgoing call.

This consent is obtained when the subscriber first signs the contract. The subscriber is also given the option to opt for caller number non-display services, as a value-added service.

Evelyn Goh (Ms)
Director, Communications, Planning and Policy
Personal Data Protection Commission