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Egypt Implements New Measures to Enhance Mobile Phone User Data Governance

From Egypt Independent · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Egypt is implementing new measures to improve the governance of mobile phone user data and combat unregistered lines.
  • The Communications and Information Technology Committee is working with mobile operators to identify and cancel lines registered in individuals' names but used by others.
  • Citizens are urged to check their registered lines via the "My NTRA" application and report any discrepancies to their mobile network operator.

Egypt is enhancing its efforts to regulate mobile phone user data and address the persistent issue of unregistered or misused phone lines. MP Ahmed Badawy, head of the Communications and Information Technology Committee in the House of Representatives, highlighted that while the problem has declined, it has not been entirely resolved.

The issue of mobile phone lines registered in the names of people who do not use them has not been completely resolved, despite its decline in recent years.

— MP Ahmed BadawyDescribing the ongoing challenge of unregistered mobile lines in Egypt.

Badawy explained that new measures are being introduced to identify illegal lines and verify user data more rigorously. The issue, particularly significant between 1998 and 2017, involves a large number of lines registered under individuals who do not use them. Initial measures implemented since 2018 included restricting sales to company branches, halting dealings with unauthorized agents, and requiring activation through call centers, which helped reduce the number of illegal lines.

Technological advancements and the increasing role of mobile numbers in cybercrimes have made addressing this issue more critical. The new measures aim to expand the process of obtaining additional information to verify the identity of line owners. The Communications Committee is actively monitoring these developments.

any citizen who discovers a number registered in their name but not in use can take steps to cancel it.

— MP Ahmed BadawyAdvising citizens on how to manage their registered mobile lines.

Citizens are strongly encouraged to check all mobile phone lines registered in their names using the "My NTRA" application. If they find any numbers they do not use registered under their name, they should contact their mobile network operator to initiate cancellation. Badawy clarified that while a line registered in someone's name doesn't automatically implicate them in a crime, the individual proven to have used that number for illicit activities will be held legally responsible.

legal responsibility lies with whoever is proven to have committed a crime using the number.

— MP Ahmed BadawyClarifying accountability for crimes committed using phone lines registered by others.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Egypt Independent in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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