Mobile identity registration laws implemented in Chile and Mexico

Chile has implemented a mandatory registration for all existing prepaid mobile numbers to combat telephone scams and illicit activities. As of August 20, mobile operators are required to associate prepaid lines with a specific user identity, including details such as name, address, and national ID or passport number. The Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (Subtel) aims to reduce anonymity to better identify those responsible for crimes. Industry group Chile Telcos stated they are working to ensure the verification process is simple and secure for customers.

In a related discussion regarding mobile registration security, concerns have been raised in Mexico about the handling of biometric data. While telecommunications operators and the government do not store biometric information, third-party identity validation companies do. These private firms, which verify user data against the Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE), operate under a system of self-regulation rather than strict government oversight. This lack of specific regulation regarding how long these companies store biometric data presents potential vulnerabilities in the data supply chain.