Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has referred the country’s four mobile operators to the Public Prosecution following complaints that SIM cards had been registered using citizens’ personal data without their knowledge or possession.
The regulator announced the move on August 10, 2026, after carrying out inspections and reviewing complaints over a two-day period. NTRA said it had collected the evidence and documentation needed to support the cases before referring them for further legal investigation.
Complaints Over SIM Cards Registered Without Owners’ Knowledge
The investigation began after users reported discovering mobile lines linked to their personal information despite never purchasing, activating or possessing those SIM cards.
NTRA said the issue represented a potential violation of the approved rules governing the sale, registration and activation of mobile lines, as well as a threat to users’ personal data.
The referral applies to all four mobile operators active in Egypt: Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, e& Egypt and WE.
The Public Prosecution will now examine the cases and determine whether further legal action is required.
Egypt Introduces Urgent SIM Registration Measures
Alongside the prosecution referral, NTRA announced a series of emergency measures intended to tighten control over SIM registration and ensure that every mobile line is registered to the person actually using it.
One of the most significant changes is the suspension of bulk sales and activation of new mobile lines through systems used by corporations, government bodies and other entities.
Operators have also been instructed to contact holders of existing lines registered through these systems and require them to visit company branches to sign new contracts under the actual user’s name.
Lines that are not properly re-registered within the deadline set by the operators may ultimately be cancelled.
Biometric Verification Is Coming
NTRA has also ordered mobile operators to accelerate the rollout of biometric identity verification through their official apps.
The technology is intended to provide a more secure method of confirming who actually owns and uses a mobile number, while also giving customers more control over any lines that may have been registered using their personal information without permission.
The regulator said stronger identity checks are part of its broader effort to prevent similar registration problems from recurring.
A Nationwide SIM Verification Drive Begins
Following the announcement, Egypt’s mobile operators began a wider campaign to verify subscriber information.
Reports indicate that the first phase could involve around 19 million SIM cards, with customers receiving messages asking them to confirm or update their registration details. The process is expected to continue in stages across Egypt’s much larger mobile subscriber base.
Customers who receive a verification or suspension message may be required to visit their operator’s branch with valid identification to confirm that the line is correctly registered in their name.
The campaign is particularly important because Egyptian mobile numbers are increasingly connected to financial and government services, including mobile wallets, banking accounts and digital public services.
NTRA Warns Operators Against Further Violations
The regulator said it will continue closely monitoring how the four operators implement the new measures.
Companies that fail to comply could face additional administrative and legal penalties. NTRA warned that these measures could include suspending an operator’s ability to sell or activate new mobile lines, in addition to further referrals to the Public Prosecution.
The authority described protecting citizens’ rights and personal data as a core priority and stressed that it would not tolerate violations of SIM registration regulations.
What Should Mobile Users Do?
For most customers, no immediate action is necessary unless they receive an official message from their mobile operator asking them to verify their information.
However, users concerned that unfamiliar numbers may be registered under their identity can use NTRA’s My NTRA services to review lines associated with their personal data. NTRA recently restored its “My Numbers” service through a temporary technical solution, allowing users to check mobile numbers registered in their name.
The latest measures represent one of Egypt’s most significant recent attempts to tighten mobile registration rules and protect subscribers from unauthorized use of their personal information.
With all four major operators now referred for investigation, the issue has moved beyond a technical registration problem and into a broader push for stronger accountability across Egypt’s telecom sector.
