27 January 2025
The board of Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has reportedly approved draft rules that would require telcos to add biometrics to their SIM card registration processes.
The new rules – which will update the 2019 rules for SIM card registration systems – will authorise telcos to collect biometric data to be applied to SIM registration. The NBTC said the new rules are meant to combat online fraud and voice spam by preventing the creation of ‘mule accounts’ that are used to launder money or perpetuate scams. Biometrics would prevent fraudulent registrations in which people use fake, edited or outdated photos to register for SIM cards, the report said.
Mobile operators will have 180 days to provide biometric systems for new SIM card registrations via their registration channels and customer service shops once the rules are in force. The NBTC board plans to discuss the measures in more detail before finalising them.
While some telcos already use biometrics in some form, the NBTC wants them to either upgrade those systems or adopt a system similar to those used by mobile banking services, the report added.
The NBTC’s draft rules also impose new limits for SIM cards purchased by foreigners. Under the new rules, foreigners can buy a maximum of three SIMs per person per service provider. The NBTC also resolved to ask telcos to limit the validity of SIMs used by foreigners to 60 days.
