Safaricom is set to introduce a new privacy feature on M-Pesa that will hide users’ phone numbers during transactions, following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
Under the update, when customers pay for goods using Till numbers or PayBill, the full mobile phone number will no longer be visible to merchants. Instead, only part of the number will appear (for example: 0722XXXXXX) to protect personal data.
The move is part of a data-minimisation strategy aimed at improving user privacy, reducing unnecessary exposure of personal information, and helping curb scams and unsolicited marketing messages.
However, the system will still allow transparency where necessary. Merchants or recipients may request to see the full phone number, but the sender will have the option to approve or decline the request.
The change aligns with Kenya’s Data Protection Act and broader efforts to strengthen digital security, especially as M-Pesa continues to serve tens of millions of users and remains a key part of the country’s financial ecosystem.
Under the update, when customers pay for goods using Till numbers or PayBill, the full mobile phone number will no longer be visible to merchants. Instead, only part of the number will appear (for example: 0722XXXXXX) to protect personal data.
The move is part of a data-minimisation strategy aimed at improving user privacy, reducing unnecessary exposure of personal information, and helping curb scams and unsolicited marketing messages.
However, the system will still allow transparency where necessary. Merchants or recipients may request to see the full phone number, but the sender will have the option to approve or decline the request.
The change aligns with Kenya’s Data Protection Act and broader efforts to strengthen digital security, especially as M-Pesa continues to serve tens of millions of users and remains a key part of the country’s financial ecosystem.
