Efforts to Combat Fraud and Crime through Mobile Phone Registration
In an effort to combat extortion, fraud, and other crimes committed via telephone lines, a pilot registration program for mobile phone users has commenced this month. The initiative is being led by the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT) in collaboration with major telecommunication companies: Telcel, Movistar, AT&T, BAIT, and Altán.
Key Players Involved
- Jorge Luis Pérez Hernández: Head of the National Digital Infrastructure Coordination Unit at ATDT, who signed the agreement with telecommunication company representatives.
- José Luis Rodríguez: Subsecretary of Criminal Policy, Linkage and Civil Protection at the Secretariat of Security and Urban Development (SSPC).
- José Antonio Montero: Director General of Consultation and Constitutional Studies at the Federal Executive’s Legal Advisory Council.
During the signing ceremony held at the SSPC, Jorge Luis Pérez Hernández explained that this pilot program aims to outline actions and areas for improvement in the registration processes of telephone lines and users managed by mobile service concessionaires and commercializers. This initiative precedes the mandatory registration of new telephone lines as stipulated in the recently enacted Telecommunications and Broadcasting Matters Law.
User Identification and Data Protection
Users will be identified through an official document containing the Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP), linking them to the telephone line they acquire or contract at customer service centers. The users’ personal data will be safeguarded by telecommunication companies under the General Law for the Protection of Personal Data Held by Obligated Subjects, and the government will not have access to these records.
Pilot Program Timeline and Scope
- The pilot program began on September 1st and will conclude in October, coinciding with the implementation of new telecommunications regulations.
- These new regulations will make the registration of new telephone lines mandatory at all sales points.
- Existing lines will have a registration period, with telecommunication companies offering remote registration options to facilitate the process for users.
Key Attendees
Notable attendees of the signing ceremony included:
- David Boone: Head of the Legal Affairs and Transparency Unit at SSPC.
- Gabriel Contreras: Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs at AT&T.
- Zaira Pérez: Director General of Altán Redes.
- Alejandro Cantú: Director Jurídico and Secretary of the Administrative Council at América Móvil.
- Gabriel Cejudo: CEO of Bait.
- Camilo Aya Caro: President and CEO of Telefónica Movistar México.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this pilot program? The main objective is to combat extortion, fraud, and other crimes committed through telephone lines by establishing a mandatory registration process for new and existing mobile phone users.
- How will users be identified? Users will be identified using an official document containing the Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP), linking them to their telephone line.
- What data will be protected? Users’ personal data will be safeguarded by telecommunication companies under the General Law for the Protection of Personal Data Held by Obligated Subjects, and the government will not have access to these records.
- When does the mandatory registration take effect? The new regulations making registration mandatory for new telephone lines will come into force in October, following the conclusion of the pilot program.
- What support will be available for existing line users? Existing line users will have a registration period, with telecommunication companies offering remote registration options to facilitate the process.
