Kenyans react as woman questions M-Pesa’s new number masking feature

A Kenyan lady raised eyebrows online after sharing her experience with Safaricom’s latest M-Pesa feature that hides phone numbers during transactions. The woman, identified as Doreen, said she became uneasy after receiving messages indicating that someone she had paid through M-Pesa had requested to view her full number. This happened shortly after Safaricom rolled out the number masking function earlier in the week, a move meant to protect customers’ personal data in line with the Data Protection Act of 2019.

According to Safaricom, users who receive money can verify a sender’s details by forwarding the M-Pesa message to the code *334#, but the sender must give consent before their number is revealed. Doreen sought clarity in a Facebook group, wondering whether she should be worried about the man’s request and what would happen if she denied access. Many Kenyans in the comment section explained that the feature allows recipients a 24-hour period to request the sender’s number in case of issues like transaction errors or forgotten items at a shop. Others warned her to ignore such requests unless they are necessary for legitimate reasons.

The issue sparked a wider debate about safety and transparency in digital payments, with some Kenyans praising Safaricom for improving privacy controls. Others expressed concern that potential misuse might still occur, especially in daily transactions involving matatus or small traders using Pochi La Biashara. The conversation highlighted the balancing act between security and convenience in Kenya’s growing digital economy.