Telecommunications provider Flow Jamaica is assuring the public that it does not release customers’ IP addresses and other personal data to third-party individuals as such actions would constitute a breach of its confidentiality policy. 

Kayon Mitchell, communications director at Flow, responding to questions from Our Today yesterday (June 13), admitted that there are “special circumstances” where the expressed consent of customers is not needed. 

“Flow treats its customer data with the strictest care and confidentiality. The company does not provide the personal data and IP addresses of its customers to any third party individuals without the customer’s expressed consent or authorization,” Mitchell explained.

The Flow executive was providing clarity after last month’s claims by de facto Information Minister Robert Nesta Morgan. 

At the time, Morgan—contesting the legitimacy of WhatsApp screenshots purportedly bearing his name and likeness circulating on social media—said he was not above using all laws at his disposal to expose persons who attempted to besmirch his political office.

“Just be advised I won’t allow anyone to defame me and get away with it. My lawyers are on retainer. I have IP addresses for Flow and Digicel as well as agreements with Twitter, FB and IG. I will use the full power of the law to protect my reputation in the US, EU & JA,” Morgan tweeted. 

The minister’s rant, later deleted hours after raising eyebrows, also triggered public concern around the security of customer data.

Continuing, Mitchell conceded that under current legislation, Flow is obligated to turn over customer-related data to the police and other relevant Jamaican authorities in the event of a suspected crime. 

According to the company, that information cannot be requested in a “personal capacity” and must be guided by a judicial process. 

“Flow complies with the Laws of Jamaica, such as the Telecommunications Act and the Interception of Communications Act, which, under strict circumstances, may require the company to turn over exact information to specified law enforcement agencies and authorized individuals therein, so as to carry out their investigations into a crime. At times, such requests are the subject of a court order. Strict protocols are observed when such information is being shared,” the Flow executive told Our Today in the emailed response.

“For absolute clarity, Flow does not respond to any such requests by individuals in their personal capacity. If a submission is made outside of the established protocol or by an officer who is not authorized, a letter is sent to the relevant officer, outlining that Flow provides data pursuant to the Interception of Communications Act and the Telecommunications Act,” Mitchell added.

Similar questions had been sent to Digicel Jamaica, however, up to the time of publication, responses remained pending.

Internet protocol, as IP is abbreviated, signifies a numerical label (such as 192.0.2.1), which is connected to a computer network that uses the world wide web for communication. An IP address serves two main functions, namely network interface identification and location addressing.

According to whatismyip.com, the IP address routes internet traffic to your computer.

“To clarify, it does not reveal your location. If someone was able to get your IP address they could learn a bit about your internet service, such as which provider you use to connect to the internet, but they really can’t locate you, your home, or your office,” the website explained.