Egypt refers all four mobile operators to prosecution over SIM registration violations

Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has referred the country’s four mobile operators to the public prosecutor for investigation into violations involving the registration of SIM cards in users’ names without their knowledge. The authority also announced a series of new measures to regulate SIM registration.

In an official statement on Monday, the NTRA said the referral follows complaints from users who discovered mobile lines registered with their personal data without their knowledge or possession. The move comes as part of ongoing cooperation between the NTRA and the public prosecutor to address legal and regulatory violations. The authority said it had examined and inspected complaints over the past two days, collected evidence and documents, and referred the cases for further investigation in accordance with the law.

The statement emphasized that the action aims to protect the rights of telecom service users, safeguard their personal data, and address any practices that violate established rules and procedures for registering and activating mobile lines.

Following meetings with the four mobile operators, the NTRA approved an urgent package of regulatory measures to tighten the SIM registration process, verify the identity of actual users, and prevent similar incidents in the future. These measures include suspending the sale or activation of new lines through company systems for all entities and institutions, whether in the private sector or government bodies.

The authority also required mobile operators to send text messages to all existing users registered in their systems, instructing them to visit company branches to sign new contracts in the name of the actual line holder. Any line for which the contract process is not completed within the specified period will be permanently deactivated.

Additionally, the NTRA directed operators to expedite the implementation of biometric verification for mobile line holders through company apps in the near future, enabling more secure user identification and allowing individuals to take action regarding any line registered in their name but not in their possession.

The NTRA stressed it will not tolerate any violations of the rules governing the sale, registration, and activation of mobile lines. It warned that companies failing to comply with the new regulations could face legal and administrative action, including suspension of new line sales and activation, and referral to the public prosecutor as stipulated by law.

The authority affirmed its ongoing monitoring of the implementation of these new measures by mobile operators and its commitment to taking all necessary steps to ensure compliance. It reiterated that protecting citizens’ rights, personal data, and the integrity of SIM registration procedures remains a top priority.