Mexico court clears path for mandatory phone registry linked to biometric CURP

A federal court in Mexico has revoked a suspension that prevented the establishment of a mandatory registry of mobile phone users, which links phone numbers to individuals through the country’s biometric citizen identifier CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población), or other official documents.​

The suspension was overturned earlier this week by Mexico City’s 14th Collegiate Court in Administrative Matters of the First Circuit. In its decision, the court said that halting the enforcement of mandatory registration would affect public order and public interest, especially during the search and identification of missing persons.

In January, Mexico enacted a new law requiring all cell phone numbers to be associated with an individual, with authorities warning that numbers not registered by June 30th could be suspended.The regulation, however, was challenged by an unnamed complainant who received a suspension, allowing them to avoid handing over biometrics to register their phone number.

The new ruling means the complainant must comply with the registration requirements or risk losing their phone number. According to the judges on the panel, the provisions aim to prevent harms associated with enforced disappearances and to strengthen the State’s capacity to guarantee fundamental rights such as life, liberty, dignity, identity, and security, La Cronista reports.​

​The ruling does not represent a mandatory precedent nor does it have general effects, according to lawyer Armando Pacheco. Other cases could be resolved differently across courts in the country, Pacheco told news outlet Xeu.

Mexico has been advancing in implementing its biometric CURP, or Unique Population Registry Code, which became mandatory in February. ​The new citizen code is a modernized version of Mexico’s previously optional CURP, which adds face, fingerprint and iris biometrics.

​The country is planning a gradual implementation of the 18-character code. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones – CRT) introduced mandatory registration of mobile phone numbers for all natural persons and legal entities, requiring submission of IDs and CURPs.​

The government says that the registry will help combat crimes such as extortion and fraud, which usually operate from anonymous lines. The citizen codes are being consolidated into a Unified Identity Platform that will connect to other state databases, reducing administrative burdens.

​The measure, however, has generated concern among privacy experts and civil organizations. Some parts of the country have seen court injunctions against the biometric identifier.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP)  |  identity verification  |  KYC  |  Mexico  |  national ID  |  SIM card registration