New regulations in Norway will enforce stricter identification requirements upon purchasers of prepaid SIM cards, following an exposé by popular newspaper Dagbladet that revealed widespread abuse by criminals. The new measures aim to curb criminal activities, including ID theft and fraud, that are facilitated by the anonymity provided by prepaid SIM cards. Their misuse was highlighted by cases where the personal information of sex workers had been illicitly exploited by their pimps in order to acquire SIM cards.
The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) responded to the claims by instigating its own investigation in 2023. Nkom’s research confirmed there were particular problems with Mycall, a subsidiary of Telia that focuses on consumers who make international calls. The investigation resulted in Mycall being fined NOK1.5mn (USD141,000) for violating ID regulations covering the sale of prepaid SIM cards.
The new regulations mandate that individuals must present valid identification to purchase a prepaid SIM card or establish a mobile subscription. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport or a Norwegian driver’s license. BankID, an electronic form of identity based on public key infrastructure and provided by Norway’s banks, may also be used.
Karianne Tung, Norway’s Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, explained the importance of these new regulations.
Tidligere har det vært for enkelt å opprette mobilabonnement i andre sitt navn, det gjør vi noe med nå. Digital svindel og ID-tyveri er et alvorlig samfunnsproblem, og det er fortvilende for dem som rammes. Derfor har vi nå skjerpet reglene for identifisering ved kjøp av kontantkort og opprettelse av mobilabonnement.
Previously, it has been too easy to set up a mobile subscription in someone else’s name; we are doing something about that now. Digital fraud and ID theft are serious societal problems, and it is distressing for those affected. Therefore, we have now tightened the rules for identification when purchasing prepaid SIM cards and setting up mobile subscriptions.
Nkom’s overview of the new ID rules can be found here.
