Telecommunications companies in Antigua and Barbuda could face fines of up to EC$50,000 if they fail to provide police with requested information within a reasonable period, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned.

Browne said the government had strengthened the law to compel service providers to cooperate with police investigations, particularly in cases where information from seized cellular phones could help investigators identify suspects or establish links to criminal activity.

The issue was raised during the Browne and Browne Show after Assistant Commissioner of Police Lisbon Michael disclosed that investigators were experiencing difficulties obtaining information from some service providers.

Michael said telecommunications data plays a critical role in solving crimes but acknowledged that police continued to face challenges securing timely cooperation.

“We still have a few challenges with some of the service providers in terms of coming forward with information,” Michael said.

Browne responded by advising senior officers to report any provider that failed to cooperate so that legal action could be taken.

“If you have any issue with Digicel, APUA, PCS and Flow in terms of providing the police with information, let us know,” Browne said. “We will invoke the law, take them to court and fine them accordingly.”

The prime minister said the maximum fine had been increased to approximately EC$50,000 to ensure that companies comply with requests from law enforcement.

He said investigators sometimes recover cellular phones from suspected criminals and then approach telecommunications companies for information, only to encounter delays and what he described as numerous excuses.

Browne said the strengthened legislation was intended to ensure that requested information is provided promptly.

“We have strengthened the laws now to make sure that they are compelled to provide information in a timely manner, failing which they will pay a hefty fine,” he said.

Neither Browne nor Michael identified a company that had been prosecuted or fined under the strengthened provisions.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Telecom Companies Face Hefty Fines for Failing to Assist Police Investigations.