Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced on Monday it has referred all four mobile operators to the Public Prosecution after uncovering violations involving mobile lines registered under users’ names without their knowledge or possession.
The move follows investigations into complaints received in recent days, with the NTRA collecting evidence and documentation before escalating the matter. The regulator stressed its commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and personal data, and to enforcing compliance with rules governing mobile line registration and activation.
Alongside the referral, the NTRA introduced urgent regulatory measures to tighten controls. These include halting the sale or activation of new lines through corporate or institutional systems, requiring operators to notify existing customers via SMS to re‑contract lines in person, with unverified lines to be cancelled. Operators must also accelerate deployment of biometric verification tools through mobile apps, enabling users to check and secure lines registered under their names.
The authority warned it will not tolerate breaches of regulatory standards, with penalties ranging up to suspension of new line sales and further referrals to prosecution. It confirmed ongoing monitoring of operators’ compliance, stressing that safeguarding citizens’ data and ensuring integrity in mobile line registration remain top priorities.
