The government through the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has announced plans to begin blocking what it describes as fake mobile phones entering the Liberian market.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Acting Board of Commissioners, led by Clarence Massaquoi, during a confirmation hearing held in the Senate Chambers for him and his fellow commissioners.
Clarence Massaquoi stated that the presence of counterfeit mobile devices in the country has grown significantly, posing serious challenges that require immediate attention.
He revealed that the LTA is nearing completion of a comprehensive program designed to detect and restrict the use of such fake phones.
Massaquoi explained that non-genuine devices not only compromise user safety by creating potentially hazardous environments but also have a negative impact on the economy.
He emphasized the importance of implementing systems to verify the authenticity of mobile devices on the market.
Currently, the LTA is under the leadership of an Acting Board of Commissioners consisting of Clarence Massaquoi, Angela Cassell Bush, Patrick Honnah, and Ben Fofana, who are all awaiting Senate confirmation following their appearance before the legislative body.
Massaquoi said that while smaller devices, such as basic button phones, are not the main focus of counterfeit sellers, larger smartphones are more commonly targeted by fraudsters due to the potential for higher profits.
He expressed confidence that the new detection program will help safeguard consumers and protect the Liberian market from the growing threat of fake phone devices.
