Hong Kong Deactivates Over 1 Million SIM Cards for Lack of Real-Name Registration

Hong Kong authorities have deactivated more than 1 million SIM cards over the past year due to a lack of real-name registration by their owners. The real-name registration regulation, which went into effect in September 2021, requires all SIM card users in Hong Kong to register their personal information before February 2023.

According to the Bureau of Telecommunications, telecoms companies have cancelled around 1.18 million SIM cards and rejected 1.33 million registration applications due to incomplete information. The authorities claim this measure has been effective in reducing the number of telephone fraud cases by 38.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

Why this matters: The real-name registration system has helped law enforcement agencies investigate and prevent crimes involving prepaid SIM cards. It plugs the loophole of anonymous activities conducted through these cards and assists authorities in tackling the growing problem of fraud in Hong Kong.

The real-name registration system has already proven its effectiveness. In one case, individuals were arrested for using false personal information to register a large number of prepaid phone cards. As of February 2023, around 14 million SIM cards have been registered, with over 90% belonging to personal users.

The public is advised to use their own information when registering SIM cards and not to purchase or sell cards from unknown sources. The deactivation of the unregistered SIM cards is expected to have a significant impact on Hong Kong's telecommunications landscape as the city continues its efforts to combat illegal activities and scams.

"The real-name registration system has plugged the loophole of anonymous activities conducted through prepaid SIM cards and assists law enforcement in investigating and preventing crimes," stated a spokesperson from the Bureau of Telecommunications. The authorities remain committed to reducing fraud and ensuring the integrity of the telecommunications system in Hong Kong.

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong deactivated over 1M SIM cards due to lack of real-name registration.
• Real-name registration aims to reduce phone fraud, which dropped 38.1% in Q4 2022.
• Over 14M SIM cards registered, with 90% belonging to personal users.
• Unregistered SIM cards deactivated, impacting Hong Kong's telecom landscape.
• Real-name registration helps law enforcement investigate and prevent crimes.