Peter Ndegwa led Safaricom has been forced to go on its knees and apologise to its users after they received a suspicious ‘test’ message.
Safaricom subscribers were worried after receiving an odd text message reading “text” through a 44444 shortcode.
Ayee @SafaricomPLC and @Safaricom_Care, What is this "44444" Thing texting me "Test"? 🤔
— FELIX (@FellMentKE) February 22, 2021
This 44444 – Test, is this the new anti-Christ number? Safaricom please guide us we are scared.
— JASIGANA (@Jasigana254) February 22, 2021
The telco in response to the Monday, February 22, the message said it came as a result of a system error but the issue was being fixed.
Some social media users alleged that Safaricom might have been testing the spy software, from Beijing-based Huawei.
“China’s HUAWEI was testing their new spy spyware through their proxy, Safaricom on shortcode 44444 early Monday this week,” a social media user posted.
While many netizens seemed legally clueless about tampering with their privacy and data, quite a number of sane Kenyans are eager to know what the test was for.
Who owns the shortcode 44444? And why spam users with search a message?
Safaricom should explain how that 44444 got people's numbers
That are the biggest violators of privacy laws and guidelines……they give your number to betting companies, government and whoever is willing to pay them
— Papa Himuselefuu!!!!!!!! (@Bulumacleo) February 22, 2021
This is worse than it seems to be. What I can’t understand is how Safaricom system failure was caused by Abdul Zuku!
Yes, if you do a background check of the number 44444 the name Abdul Zuku appears.
