An illustrative image of SIM cards. AFP
The dual move follows a wave of complaints from subscribers who discovered mobile lines registered to their personal data despite never applying for or possessing them. Over the past two days, the NTRA inspection teams have examined the complaints and compiled the evidence, documents, and supporting material needed to refer the matter for criminal investigation.
The NTRA stated that the referral of the four operators falls within its ongoing cooperation with the Public Prosecution regarding regulatory violations and follows its inspection units' completion of the fact-finding process on the complaints received. The authority said it would take "whatever action the law requires" once prosecutors examine the case.
The regulator framed the referral as part of its mandate to protect the personal data of telecom subscribers and confront any practice that breaches the rules governing SIM registration and activation.
Separately, following meetings with the four operators, the NTRA approved a package of urgent regulatory measures aimed at tightening the SIM registration system and verifying the identity of the actual holders of existing lines, in a bid to prevent similar violations in the future.
Under the new rules, operators must immediately halt the sale or activation of any new lines issued through corporate registration systems used by private-sector companies as well as government bodies and institutions.
Operators have also been ordered to send text messages to all previously registered corporate lines, instructing current holders to visit company branches to sign new contracts in the name of the line's actual user. Any line whose paperwork is not completed within the deadline set by operators will be permanently cancelled.
The NTRA further instructed operators to accelerate the rollout of biometric verification tools through their mobile applications, allowing subscribers to confirm their identity more securely and take action against any line registered in their name that they do not actually hold.
The NTRA warned it "will not tolerate" any breach of the rules governing the sale, registration and activation of mobile lines. It said any operator found non-compliant with its regulations would face legal and administrative measures, which could extend to suspending the company's ability to sell or activate new lines altogether, in addition to referring the violations to the Public Prosecution.
The authority said it would continue closely monitoring operators' implementation of the new measures, describing the protection of citizens' rights and personal data, and the integrity of SIM registration procedures, as a "core priority."
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