ACMA to review identity checking for prepaid mobile sign-up

Stuart Corner
Friday, 10 March 2006 04:36

IT Policy - Regulation

.The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is reviewing the way in which telephone companies collect identity information about their pre-paid mobile phone customers, and has released a discussion paper: "Identity Checks for Pre-paid Mobile Services"..

Prepaid users account for over half of all mobile services and the ACMA says review is necessary because the data being produced by current processes is of insufficient quality and consistency. The discussion paper also outlines potential changes to the identity checking process that the ACMA says will reduce industry costs and provide a simpler process for consumers.

The primary motivation is to prevent mobile phone numbers being obtained under false identities and the mobiles then being used for criminal or terrorism purposes.

Possible changes include removing the identity checking process from retail outlets such as supermarkets and petrol stations and requiring the mobile phone companies to collect and verify identifying information at the time the pre-paid mobile service is activated. The ACMA is seeking submissions by 3rd April 2006.