The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) referred Egypt’s four mobile operators to the Public Prosecution following complaints from users about mobile lines registered under their personal data without their knowledge or possession. This step comes in line with NTRA’s ongoing cooperation with the Public Prosecution on legal and regulatory violations, and follows inspection and verification procedures carried out over the past two days, during which evidence and documentation were compiled to support the complaints.
The move underscores NTRA’s commitment to protecting users’ rights, safeguarding personal data, and combating practices that breach approved rules and procedures for mobile line registration and activation.

In parallel, and after meetings with the four operators, NTRA introduced a package of urgent regulatory measures aimed at tightening the mobile line registration system, verifying the identity of actual holders, and preventing recurrence of such incidents. These measures include:

• Suspension of bulk sales or activation of new lines through operator’s systems for corporations and entities, whether private or governmental.
• Mandatory SMS notifications to all existing lines registered in operator’s systems, instructing holders to visit operator branches to sign new contracts under the actual user’s name. Lines will be permanently canceled if contract procedures are not completed within the specified deadline.
• Accelerated rollout of biometric verification mechanisms via operators’ electronic applications, enabling more secure identity checks and empowering citizens to take action against any line registered under their name but not in their possession.

NTRA stressed it will not tolerate violations of regulatory rules governing the sale, registration, and activation of mobile lines. Operators failing to comply will face legal and administrative measures, which may include suspension of new line sales and activation, and referral of violations to the Public Prosecution by virtue of law.
Furthermore, NTRA reaffirmed its close monitoring of the implementation of these new measures by operators, and its determination to take all necessary steps to ensure compliance. Protecting citizens’ rights, safeguarding personal data, and ensuring the integrity of mobile line registration procedures remain core priorities for NTRA.