Next time you have a cellphone conversation, be careful what you say - chances are someone could be listening.
This startling discovery was made during a joint investigation by the Pretoria News and Talk Radio 702 on Thursday.
The investigation proved that a person using the Vodacom network can eavesdrop on other people's conversations by dialling a code via the cell company's customer care service.
After dialling the code, the cellphone will randomly track conversations between people on the Vodacom network within a 15km radius.
Shockingly, the people on the other end of the line will not know that their conversations are being listened to. In addition, the eavesdropper is not charged for the call.
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This was apparently discovered by schoolchildren who regularly tap into people's conversations during their lunch break.
It was brought to the attention of the Pretoria News and 702 by a person who wants to be identified only as Glen.
"On Tuesday, a youngster whom I know told me to be careful of what I say on the cellphone, because it is easy to tap into calls.
"At first I thought it was an urban legend so I asked him to prove it to me - and he did. I could not believe it and decided to let the media know about it," he said.
Initially, Vodacom spokesperson Ivan Booth denied it was possible.
He said Glen might have been confusing another service offered by Vodacom which is similar to an Internet chatroom, where people can join in on conversations.
When it was proved to Booth that tapping into other calls was possible, he said Vodacom would investigate the problem.
On Thursday, 702 and the Pretoria News were able to tap into the conversations of scores of people.
They ranged from businessmen discussing sensitive deals to a mother talking to her son, and even two people discussing a drug transaction.
Happy Zondi, spokesperson for Cell C - which has a roaming agreement with Vodacom to use their masts - said: "According to our technicians, it is not possible for a person to tap into people's conversations."
No MTN spokesperson could be reached for comment.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of Pretoria News on August 20, 2004
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