Safaricom Introduces Masked Identities on M-Pesa Transfers

Safaricom is set to introduce new privacy measures on M-Pesa that will change how personal details appear during money transfers, in a move aimed at reducing fraud and protecting customer data.

From March 24, 2026 henceforth, M-PESA users enjoy the “Send Money” service will no longer see full names or complete phone numbers of recipients. Instead, the system will display limited details such as partial names and masked phone numbers, while still showing key transaction information like the amount, date, and transaction ID.

The company says the update is part of a broader effort to strengthen data protection across its platform. By limiting the amount of personal information shared during transactions, Safaricom aims to reduce risks linked to unwanted contact, misuse of data, and digital fraud.

The change builds on similar privacy measures already applied to services such as Buy Goods, PayBill, and M-Pesa statements, as the company moves to standardize reduced data visibility across its systems.

Despite the adjustment, Safaricom maintains that the transaction process itself will remain unchanged, with payments continuing to be processed in real time and users still able to access full transaction details on their own devices.
The move also aligns M-Pesa more closely with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, which emphasizes data minimisation, ensuring that only the necessary information is shared during transactions.

The update comes at a time when concerns around digital security and financial fraud are rising, with mobile money platforms increasingly taking steps to protect users while maintaining convenience.