Why We Must Stop Being "Bystanders" to Corporate Negligence

From Dropped Calls to Leaked Data: Why We Must Stop Being "Bystanders" to Corporate Negligence

We have all grown accustomed to the occasional nuisance call, but a conversation I had today crossed a line from "annoying" to deeply concerning.

I received a call from a young woman attempting to sell me an insurance policy. In her haste to entice me into a "limited offer," she let the cat out of the bag: she explicitly stated that this deal was reserved exclusively for Dialog customers.

In that one sentence, the veil was lifted. It became clear that my status as a customer—and likely my contact details—had been shared or sold to a third party without my consent.

The Irony of "Service"

What makes this situation particularly bitter is the context. For the past three months, my entire neighborhood has been struggling with abysmal reception and unresolved capacity issues. While we battle "shitty" signal strength and dropped calls, the provider appears to be focusing its energy elsewhere.

Instead of promptly correcting technical infrastructure, there is a mounting suspicion that private information is being treated as a commodity. Whether through direct sales or lapses in security that lead to the "dark web," our personal data is being used to make "extra bucks on the sly" while the actual service we pay for remains broken.

The Problem with "Toothless Tigers"

When I confronted the caller about this serious breach of data privacy, I realised a secondary, more systemic issue: Where is the accountability?

We often feel that reporting these incidents is a dead end. The authorities meant to protect consumers frequently appear as "toothless tigers", entities in a deep slumber, while corporate giants ignore the Personal Data Protection Act with impunity.

A Call for Determination

This needs to stop. We cannot continue to be a nation of silent bystanders while our privacy is auctioned off and our service complaints are ignored. Authorities must be pressured to act, to investigate these data pipelines, and to bring those responsible to book.

I am no longer willing to just "deal with it." I am ready to come forward and speak out. If we want a future where our private information is sacred and our service providers are held to a standard of excellence, we must demand it—loudly.

Are you experiencing the same? It’s time we hold these providers accountable.

#DataPrivacy #ConsumerRights #SriLanka #TechAccountability #DataBreach #DialogSriLanka #PrivacyMatters