Arab Finance: The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has referred Egypt’s four mobile network operators to the Public Prosecution for investigation following complaints received over the past two days, according to a statement.

This move came after the authority reviewed the citizens’ complaints, gathered relevant evidence and documentation, and completed the necessary legal procedures.

It aligns with the regulator’s commitment to protecting users’ rights and personal data, as well as addressing any practices that violate rules governing the registration and activation of mobile phone lines.

Following meetings with the four mobile operators, the NTRA approved a package of urgent regulatory measures aimed at strengthening the SIM card registration system, verifying the identities of actual line holders, and preventing the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

The new measures stipulate halting the sale or activation of any new SIM cards through company systems to entities and institutions, whether in the private sector or the government.

NTRA also mandated that mobile operators send text messages to all existing SIM cards registered on their systems, notifying their owners of the need to visit mobile operator branches to sign new contracts in the name of the actual SIM card holder.

Users who fail to complete the required contracting procedures within the specified timeframe will have their SIM cards permanently deactivated.

Moreover, the agency ordered mobile operators to accelerate the rollout of biometric identity verification mechanisms through their mobile apps. This will provide a more secure means of verifying SIM card holders and allow citizens to take the necessary steps regarding any SIM cards registered in their names that are not in their possession.