By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Multichoice Uganda has disputed claims that a Nigerian hacker known as ‘Anonymous’ successfully hacked into their systems and unlocked all channels. Atleast by 6pm this evening, all channels on both DSTV and GOTv were being watched free of charge!
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“DSTV and GOTV have been hacked. All stations are opened whether you subscribe or not. Check yours out” tweeted a Nigerian hacker who nick-named self Anonymous.
However, DSTV management has since rubbished the claims of their systems being hacked and instead said it was an intended system upgrade that intended to improve their services.
“We had a choice to either first disable all our customers from viewing totally or let all do the viewing as we upgrade, we chose not to interrupt our customers’ viewing,” Multichoice’s Head of Marketing Collin Asiimwe told this reporter via WhatsApp chat when asked for a comment.
“We are currently doing important system upgrades. This is to ensure that we provide you with improved system performance and reliability. Please be assured that we put customers at the heart of everything we do, your normal viewing will not be affected. Apologies for any inconvenience during the upgrades,” Collin further added.
DSTV’s Official Notice Advising Their Clients Of Their Planned maintenance Plan
“Our services will be off line. We’re upgrading our systems from Sunday 18th October,12:00am to Monday 19th October, 5:00pm. please pay your subscription before this time to avoid delays in reconnection,” read their official statement released on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, at exactly midnight, channels were back to regulations as per paid subscription plans.
DSTV Management further clarified that the exercise wasn’t an exclusive to Uganda but to the whole African continent, the likely reason why the alleged Nigerian could have claimed to have hacked into the system.
It should be remembered that two weeks ago giant telecoms, MTN, Airtel and Stanbic bank’s online platform systems were hacked into where yet to be disclosed amount of money believed to be in billions stolen. Police arrested two suspects in connection with the same and we investigations have since commenced.
