Users who switch phones must rescan their biometric data.

According to Circular No. 08 recently issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology , new regulations on verifying information for terrestrial mobile phone subscribers will officially take effect from April 15th. This move aims to thoroughly address the issue of SIM cards registered with incorrect information, preventing the risk of malicious individuals exploiting unregistered SIM cards to commit fraud, steal property, and disrupt social order and security.

Changing phones requires re-authentication of biometric data.

A notable point of Circular 08 is the requirement for synchronization with the national data system. Specifically, all new mobile subscribers from June 15th onwards must undergo information verification through facial biometrics. The data is directly compared with the National Population Database and the National Identity Card Database to ensure absolute accuracy.

Từ 15.4, người dùng đổi điện thoại phải quét lại sinh trắc học - Ảnh 1. — Biometric authentication is mandatory for each mobile subscriber.

This regulation aims to prevent telecommunications agents from using illegally collected personal information to pre-register SIM cards, then reselling them to others without transferring ownership.

Another groundbreaking technical solution to protect users is the binding requirement for terminal devices. Similar to the security solution currently applied in the digital banking sector, when a user changes devices (inserting a SIM card into a different phone), the system will require re-authentication of biometric information.

While this verification process is still incomplete, the network provider will temporarily suspend outgoing call and text messaging services for the subscriber. This measure helps protect the legitimate rights of citizens and prevents fraudsters from using phone numbers to log into social media accounts, financial applications, etc., in cases where users lose their devices or SIM cards before they have a chance to report the number to the network provider to block it.

Empowering users with control through VNeID

To enhance convenience and reduce administrative procedures, the new Circular adds a registration and biometric authentication channel through the VNeID electronic identification application. Citizens registering for new SIM cards can do so online via VNeID, eliminating the need for video calls with staff at network provider transaction points as is currently the case.

Proposal to require biometric authentication for mobile subscribers.

The system also introduces a cross-checking feature on VNeID, allowing people to look up all phone numbers registered under their name across all domestic telecommunication networks. This enables subscribers to proactively verify the phone numbers they are actually using, and to detect and request the network provider to immediately handle any unfamiliar numbers not under their control, thus avoiding potential legal liability under the 2023 Telecommunications Law.

The regulatory agency also clearly stipulates that users who have already registered for a level 2 VNeID account using their phone number, or who have registered their information using a chip-embedded Citizen Identity Card in accordance with regulations, will not be required to re-verify their facial identity. The requirement to re-verify when there is a device change for this group will be postponed, starting from June 15th.

The implementation of Circular 08 is considered a significant step forward in perfecting the legal framework for telecommunications management. This comprehensive review campaign not only helps build a clean telecommunications database but also serves as an essential foundation for developing the digital economy and enhancing the effectiveness of combating high-tech crime in Vietnam.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tu-ngay-154-nguoi-dung-doi-dien-thoai-phai-quet-lai-sinh-trac-hoc-185260403162406129.htm