Modi Al-Zahrani
The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has, at the behest of the Interior Ministry, required that all owners of SIM cards register their fingerprints. These fingerprints will be sent to the National Information Center for cross-referencing and checking. Now anyone who wants to apply for a SIM must register his or her fingerprints.
Fingerprints reveal the real identity of applicants and all of their personal information as registered in the Civil Status Department for Saudis or the Passport Department for expatriates. It is a security measure that will put an end to illegal activities associated with the selling of SIM cards and insurance policies. More importantly, it will prevent terrorists from getting SIM cards using fake names or ID numbers.
The good news is that most people have welcomed this move. Before these procedures came into place, many people complained about annoying unsolicited SMS messages. The procedure will bring about a lot of positive effects. For example, the annoying calls that used to come from SIM cards whose owners’ identities were unknown will stop.
Secondly, the practice of issuing several SIM card numbers to the same person will no longer be possible because the identity of the owner can be linked to his or her fingerprints. Thirdly, expatriate workers who sell SIM cards with fake IDs will no longer be able to do so. Fourthly, it will be easier to catch a wanted person by tracking the cell numbers that are registered to his name.
However, this procedure should impose penalties on telecom companies that allow their employees to sell SIM cards without taking the fingerprints of applicants. The penalties should be harsh because such illegal practices jeopardize the security and stability of the Kingdom. CITC should find a way to stop suspicious phone calls that originate abroad. I am sure many of us have received suspicious phone calls and WhatsApp messages, especially late at night. These practices should come to an end.
