مصر تحيل شركات المحمول الـ 4 للنيابة.. ما القصة؟

In a new development regarding the crisis of phone lines registered in the names of Egyptian citizens without their knowledge, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority announced the referral of the four mobile companies operating in the Egyptian market to the Public Prosecution, following complaints related to the existence of lines registered under the data of citizens despite their confirmation that they do not possess or contract for them.

The decision came after inspection and examination operations conducted by the authority over the past two days, which included the complaints received, in addition to completing the evidence, clues, and documents related to the incidents, in a step aimed at determining legal responsibilities and taking necessary actions in accordance with the law.

The authority confirmed that this move comes within the framework of protecting the rights of telecommunications service users and safeguarding their personal data, as well as combating any practices that violate the established rules and regulatory procedures for registering and activating mobile lines.

Suspension of Activation of New Lines for Entities and Institutions

In parallel with the referral to the Public Prosecution, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, following meetings with the four mobile companies, approved a set of urgent regulatory measures to tighten the system for registering lines and verifying the identity of their actual holders, and to prevent the recurrence of the incidents subject to complaints.

The measures included halting the sale or activation of any new lines through the companies' systems for entities and institutions, whether belonging to the private sector or government agencies and bodies.

The authority also obligated mobile companies to send text messages to all old lines registered in the companies' systems, notifying their holders of the necessity to visit the branches of the mobile companies and conclude new contracts in the name of the actual holder of the line.

The line will be permanently canceled if the contracting procedures are not completed within the specified timeframe.

The authority also directed to expedite the availability of biometric verification mechanisms for mobile line holders through the electronic applications of telecommunications companies in the coming period, allowing for a more secure verification of the user's identity, and providing citizens with a means to deal with any line registered in their names that is not in their actual possession.

Warning to Violating Companies

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority emphasized that it will not tolerate any violation of the rules and regulations governing the sale, registration, and activation of mobile lines.

It confirmed that if any company fails to comply with the regulatory rules issued by it, legal and administrative actions will be taken, which may include halting the sale and activation of new lines for the violating company, in addition to referring the incidents to the Public Prosecution to take its measures in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The authority also confirmed the continuation of close monitoring of the implementation of the new procedures by mobile companies and taking the necessary measures to ensure compliance, considering that protecting the rights of citizens and their personal data and ensuring the integrity of line registration procedures represent a fundamental priority for the authority.

How Did the Crisis Begin?

The crisis escalated in recent days after several citizens discovered the existence of mobile phone lines registered in their names without their knowledge when inquiring through the My NTRA application affiliated with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

Citizens stated that they were surprised to find numbers registered with their personal data, despite their confirmation that they did not know these lines and had never contracted for them.

This reopened an old file related to the mechanisms for registering mobile SIM cards and the accuracy of the procedures for verifying users' identities, in addition to a more sensitive legal question regarding the responsibility of the person whose data appears on a phone line if it is later used to commit a crime without their knowledge or possession of the SIM card.

Registration Alone Does Not Imply Responsibility

In response to the state of concern, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority confirmed that merely registering a mobile phone line in a person's name does not, by itself, impose responsibility for actions taken using it, if it is proven that the line does not belong to them or was not in their possession or under their actual control.

It clarified that legal responsibility is personal, and actions are not attributed to anyone other than the perpetrator, while responsibility is determined in light of the facts, evidence, and what investigations reveal.

The authority confirmed that determining responsibility and assessing evidence remains the prerogative of investigative bodies and the judiciary in accordance with the law.

It also clarified that any citizen who discovers a line registered in their name that does not belong to them has the right to file a complaint with the authority, which will examine the incident and verify the validity of the registration procedures and the extent of the mobile company's compliance with regulatory controls, and take necessary actions if a violation is proven.

The citizen also has the right to inform the relevant investigative authorities if they believe the incident warrants it.