A communications scandal has rocked Yemen after revelations surfaced that Houthi-affiliated operatives allegedly used the mobile recharge system as a covert intelligence-gathering tool, raising serious concerns over digital privacy and civilian surveillance.

According to local sources and telecommunications experts, the scheme involved manipulating the mobile credit recharge platforms—widely used across Yemen—to collect personal information and track user behavior. The practice reportedly targeted thousands of subscribers, including civilians, journalists, and tribal figures, under the pretense of routine service.

Individuals were prompted to enter personal data or respond to deceptive SMS messages linked to credit balance verification or promotional offers. In some cases, enhanced signal triangulation and metadata extraction were used to map user locations and communication patterns.

Human rights organizations and digital watchdogs have condemned the operation as a violation of privacy and a dangerous weaponization of essential telecom services. Analysts warn that such tactics undermine public trust in national communication infrastructure and may represent a broader strategy to monitor dissent and assert control over digital channels.

This scandal has triggered calls for urgent regulatory oversight and international investigation, especially as Yemen's telecom sector operates with limited transparency and is increasingly subject to political interference.