FB pixel

Comparitech report shows 17 countries collecting biometric data for SIM card registration

Comparitech report shows 17 countries collecting biometric data for SIM card registration
 

With more than 5.1 billion global mobile phone users accounting for some 70 percent of the world’s population, a number of governments have looked into implementing SIM-card registration laws to prove identity and collect user data, writes Comparitech. Mandatory SIM-card registration with real name and personal details is necessary in most countries, but governments lack transparency when it comes to data use.

Comparitech analyzed just how intrusive governments can be, including the use of biometric technology, how data is stored and who it is shared with, its use by law enforcement, how long it is kept for and if there is any privacy legislation to protect it.

Unsurprisingly, North Korea ranks as one of the countries with the worst SIM-card registration policies, government surveillance and zero data protection. If registration procedures are not respected, the person is sent to prison. Other countries on the list are Lebanon, which is looking into biometric checks but it doesn’t have any protection laws, Pakistan, which is using fingerprints in the registration process, as is Singapore.

Bahrain, Bangladesh, and China use fingerprints or facial scans in the registration process, share data with law enforcement without requesting a warrant, and store information for a long time. Facial scans are mandatory in China and Singapore when registering a new phone number. Both fingerprints and a facial image are necessary when registering a new phone number in Nigeria. With 50 percent market share, Singapore-based Singtel has integrated facial recognition in its ID-verification process.

Biometric registration laws are currently active in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, China, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. Jordan, Lebanon, and Liberia are currently in the planning stage, while in Mozambique individuals who don’t have proper ID can give fingerprint information.

In the countries where biometrics are not yet requested, photo ID is mandatory, which in many regions includes personally identifying information such as a permanent address, date of birth, nationality, and gender.

Based on Comparitech research, it appears governments are developing a national database with citizens’ critical and private information, increasing the risk of surveillance and user profiling. Governments can use SIM cards to track location and movements and all online activity, but they can also restrict content and block internet connection for certain individuals. If there are no laws to protect user data, all this information could end up with third parties, but it could also be exposed to theft and abuse.

Article Topics

 |   |   |   |   |   | 

Latest Biometrics News

 

Alan Goode offers insights on booming transitional IDV market on BU Podcast

Technology is transforming identity verification. According to Alan Goode of Goode Intelligence, by 2030, digital identity verification will pass traditional…

 

Share less data in more places: inching towards decentralized digital ID for travel

The travel industry is slowly shifting to a more decentralized model of digital identity. This was one of the key…

 

Clearview takes fresh legal hits over Canada class action, UK fine

Few biometrics companies have taken a bigger regulatory and legal beating than Clearview AI. It has already been a rough…

 

Mexico makes biometric identifier mandatory for all citizens

Mexico has officially introduced a digital identification system by signing a law that turned the previously optional biometric-based citizen code…

 

MOSIP highlights the UN DPI Safeguards Initiative

The United Nations’ DPI Safeguards Initiative has released 259 recommendations designed to guide regulators, advocates, donors, technology providers and governments…

 

Brazil adopts DaaS for verifiable credentials

Brazil is the latest country to adopt DPI as a Packaged Solution (DaaS) — a practical framework designed to accelerate…

Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Biometric Market Analysis

Most Viewed This Week

Featured Company

Biometrics Insight, Opinion

Digital ID In-Depth

Biometrics White Papers

Biometrics Events