Two almost identical ID cards with different identity numbers. Several mobile accounts are sometimes registered with the same ID photo. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Information and Communications) Hanoi (VNA) -Mobile phone users must submit portrait photos when registering for accounts,an official from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) said.
Le Thi Ngoc Mo, deputy director of the Vietnam TelecommunicationsAuthority (VNTA) under MIC, was reacting to public concern generated by arecent decree requiring photos together with ID cards when registering formobile accounts (SIM cards).
She said "the requirement is reasonable since it will help limit scam textmessages and spread of false information, ensuring national security and socialorder and safety".
Identity verification techniques are necessary since ID cards and theirphotocopies can be fabricated, according to Mo.
Electronic database that contain citizens’ information have been established inGermany, the US, and Japan so that authorities can double-check information ontheir ID cards when they register for mobile accounts.
Other countries, such as India, Thailand, Pakistan and Bangladesh have launchedfingerprint recognition systems, and Nigeria – apart from utilising such asystem – has also requested citizens to submit portrait photos of themselveswhen registering for mobile accounts.
VNTA figures show that as of the beginning of 2016, 80 million out of 120million mobile accounts did not match the information on their ID cards despitestrict regulations. Fake details on name, age, date of birth, and ID numberwere discovered. In some cases, identity information of mobile users showed upon mobile accounts that were not theirs.
Citizens’ portrait photos, therefore, would be their most credible evidence ofidentity, which would prevent mobile users from using identity documentsof one person to register for different mobile accounts, Mo said.
When the new requirements took effect last April, telecommunication serviceproviders were given 12 months to review their users’ databases and informusers with inaccurate information to re-register their mobile accounts.
Comparing the photo requirement to the fingerprint requirement in somecountries, Mo said it is more feasible, since the process of retrieving users’fingerprints is much more complicated and requires huge equipment investments.
It is understandable that citizens had negative reactions to the photorequirement when it first came out because they thought it would invade theirprivacy, but in fact, it is no more trouble than presenting only their IDcards, according to her.
Moreover, apart from their fixed service delivery points, telecommunicationservice providers are allowed by regulations to establish mobile servicedelivery points, where citizens can easily submit their photos, she added.
"Citizens will come to terms with the new requirement if service providersare willing to enforce it," she said.-VNA
Le Thi Ngoc Mo, deputy director of the Vietnam TelecommunicationsAuthority (VNTA) under MIC, was reacting to public concern generated by arecent decree requiring photos together with ID cards when registering formobile accounts (SIM cards).
She said "the requirement is reasonable since it will help limit scam textmessages and spread of false information, ensuring national security and socialorder and safety".
Identity verification techniques are necessary since ID cards and theirphotocopies can be fabricated, according to Mo.
Electronic database that contain citizens’ information have been established inGermany, the US, and Japan so that authorities can double-check information ontheir ID cards when they register for mobile accounts.
Other countries, such as India, Thailand, Pakistan and Bangladesh have launchedfingerprint recognition systems, and Nigeria – apart from utilising such asystem – has also requested citizens to submit portrait photos of themselveswhen registering for mobile accounts.
VNTA figures show that as of the beginning of 2016, 80 million out of 120million mobile accounts did not match the information on their ID cards despitestrict regulations. Fake details on name, age, date of birth, and ID numberwere discovered. In some cases, identity information of mobile users showed upon mobile accounts that were not theirs.
Citizens’ portrait photos, therefore, would be their most credible evidence ofidentity, which would prevent mobile users from using identity documentsof one person to register for different mobile accounts, Mo said.
When the new requirements took effect last April, telecommunication serviceproviders were given 12 months to review their users’ databases and informusers with inaccurate information to re-register their mobile accounts.
Comparing the photo requirement to the fingerprint requirement in somecountries, Mo said it is more feasible, since the process of retrieving users’fingerprints is much more complicated and requires huge equipment investments.
It is understandable that citizens had negative reactions to the photorequirement when it first came out because they thought it would invade theirprivacy, but in fact, it is no more trouble than presenting only their IDcards, according to her.
Moreover, apart from their fixed service delivery points, telecommunicationservice providers are allowed by regulations to establish mobile servicedelivery points, where citizens can easily submit their photos, she added.
"Citizens will come to terms with the new requirement if service providersare willing to enforce it," she said.-VNA
VNA
