From June 15, changing phones requires biometric verification within 2 hours

Vietnam has implemented a new regulation requiring mobile subscribers to undergo biometric verification within two hours of switching to a new device, effective June 15.

The directive, outlined in Circular 08, mandates that telecommunication companies must detect and temporarily suspend outgoing services for subscribers who change devices. This includes calls and SMS messages. The companies are then required to notify users to re-verify their identity.

Biometric verification involves capturing a live facial image of the subscriber, which is then cross-referenced with national databases, including citizen data, national identification data, and immigration data, or with previously stored legal biometric data held by the telecom company. The system must ensure high accuracy and detect fraudulent attempts using photos or 3D masks.

Subscribers have 30 days from the suspension of outgoing services to complete the re-verification. If they fail to do so within this period, their SIM card will face a two-way service suspension. Following this, the company will proceed with contract termination procedures.

Should the subscriber still not complete the verification within five days of the two-way suspension, the telecommunication company is authorized to terminate the service entirely. This stringent process aims to curb SIM card fraud and ensure that only legitimate users can access mobile services, with millions of SIM cards already facing suspension due to non-compliance.

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Từ hôm nay 15.6, thuê bao di động khi chuyển sang thiết bị mới phải xác thực sinh trắc học trong vòng 2 giờ. Trường hợp không hoàn tất xác thực, thuê bao lần lượt bị khóa SIM một chiều, hai chiều và có thể bị chấm dứt cung cấp dịch vụ.