Customers of the telecommunications company MTC are required to share their biometric data as a bargaining chip for SIM registration and the use of services.
Over 5.2 billion people, comprising 70% of the world’s population, own a mobile phone, and are required to exchange their basic information to obtain a SIM contract, however occasionally biometric data can be part of mandatory information.
The company itself has played down concerns over privacy for collecting biometrics from customers, citing the precautionary action is needed to curb fraud and data of users is stored carefully to restrict invasive monitoring of customers’ private conversations and personal data falling into the wrong hands.
Since introducing biometric sim registration, MTC reports fraudulent crime has fallen by 80%.
The period of mandatory biometrics for SIM registration will run from 1st January to the end of the 2023.
Biometric registration legislation currently exists in countries such as: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, China, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates.
