New Biometric SIM Rule Coming for SA Phones
New Biometric SIM Rule Coming for SA Phones could change how millions of South Africans register, activate and use their mobile numbers. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has published draft regulations proposing mandatory fingerprint or facial verification for mobile subscribers.
The proposed changes aim to strengthen identity checks, reduce SIM fraud and improve accountability across the country’s telecommunications industry.
Under the draft amendments, mobile network operators would have to verify customers’ identities against records held by the Department of Home Affairs. These checks would apply to new number activations, reactivations and existing subscribers.
If the proposals are finalised, South Africans could face additional identity verification steps when obtaining or keeping a mobile number.
The draft regulations were published in the Government Gazette for public comment, meaning the proposals are not yet final law.
Icasa proposes mandatory biometric SIM rules
Icasa wants mobile network operators to introduce biometric verification as part of their subscriber registration processes.
The proposed biometric SIM rules would require operators to confirm a customer’s identity using physical characteristics such as fingerprints or facial images.
This information would be checked against the Home Affairs database to establish whether the person registering or using a number is the legitimate subscriber.
The proposed system would apply when a mobile number is activated or reactivated on a network. Operators would also have to verify the identities of existing customers.
This represents a significant expansion of identity verification requirements, particularly for prepaid mobile users.
South Africa already has regulations under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA), which require people registering SIM cards to provide identification details.
However, Icasa’s proposed amendments would introduce an additional biometric layer to strengthen the existing registration framework.
How the new biometric SIM verification process could work
If the regulations are approved, mobile operators would need systems capable of capturing and checking biometric information.
Fingerprint and facial recognition checks
Customers could be required to provide a fingerprint or facial image when registering a new mobile number or reactivating an existing one.
The operator would then use the biometric information to verify the subscriber against Home Affairs records.
The intention is to make it more difficult for criminals to register SIM cards using stolen identities or false personal information.
Biometric verification could also help operators identify inconsistencies in subscriber records and improve the reliability of customer registration.
Existing subscribers will also be checked
The proposed rules are not limited to people purchasing new SIM cards.
Mobile operators would also need to verify existing subscribers to ensure that the identities linked to active numbers are accurate.
This requirement could affect millions of South Africans who already have registered prepaid and post-paid numbers.
According to Icasa’s explanatory note, most operators have introduced biometric systems for post-paid customers. However, these systems have largely not been extended to prepaid services.
The regulator based this assessment on a request-for-information exercise conducted in 2025.
When will the new biometric SIM rules take effect?
The proposed implementation process includes separate timelines for the introduction of the regulations and the verification of existing subscribers.
The draft provides for a one-year transition period after the final regulations are published before the new rules take effect.
Once the regulations become effective, operators would receive a further two years to complete biometric verification of their existing customers.
This means the full process could take approximately three years from the publication of the final regulations.
The extended period is intended to give mobile network operators time to upgrade their systems and verify customers across their networks.
However, new activations and reactivations would be subject to the requirements once the regulations take effect.
Operators face fines of up to R4 million
Icasa is also proposing financial penalties for mobile network operators that fail to comply with the new requirements.
Under the draft regulations, operators could face fines ranging from R2 million to R4 million for non-compliance.
The penalties are intended to encourage telecommunications companies to implement the necessary verification systems and follow the proposed rules.
For operators serving millions of subscribers, meeting the requirements could involve significant investment in technology, customer support and identity verification infrastructure.
The regulator’s objective is to ensure that subscriber information is accurate and that mobile numbers can be more reliably linked to the people using them.
Five mobile numbers per subscriber under proposed rules
The draft amendments include additional restrictions on how many mobile numbers a person may hold with an individual network operator.
Under the proposal, each operator would be allowed to issue a maximum of five mobile numbers per subscriber.
The limit would apply separately to each mobile network.
This means a customer could potentially hold five numbers with one operator and another five with a different network, subject to the applicable rules.
The proposal is intended to improve the management of numbering resources and strengthen accountability around mobile subscriptions.
Rules for foreign visitors using South African SIM cards
Icasa is also proposing restrictions on mobile numbers issued to foreign visitors.
Under the draft, numbers issued to visitors would remain valid only for the period covered by their visas or for 90 days, depending on the applicable limit.
This measure would link the validity of visitor SIM cards more closely to their authorised stay in South Africa.
The proposal could affect tourists and other foreign visitors who purchase local SIM cards for communication while in the country.
Operators must delete records after deactivation
Another proposed requirement concerns how long operators may retain subscriber records after a mobile number has been deactivated.
The draft states that operators must not retain subscriber records for more than 30 days after a number is deactivated.
This provision forms part of the wider proposed changes to subscriber information management.
However, the treatment of subscriber information and biometric data will be an important issue as the industry prepares for the proposed system.
Questions around data protection, secure storage, access controls and the handling of sensitive biometric information will matter to customers and operators alike.
Why Icasa wants stronger SIM fraud prevention
SIM fraud remains a concern because criminals can exploit improperly registered or fraudulently obtained numbers to commit financial crimes and other offences.
Fraudulent SIM registration can make it harder for investigators to establish who is responsible for communications linked to criminal activity.
Mobile numbers are also frequently used for banking notifications, account verification and other services that rely on customers being reachable through their registered contact details.
The Association of Comms and Technology, which represents major mobile operators including MTN, Vodacom and Telkom, announced in June that its members were voluntarily tightening SIM registration requirements.
Icasa’s proposals build on the wider industry effort to improve subscriber verification.
The regulator’s 2026 State of ICT Sector report recorded just over 117 million mobile subscriptions in South Africa. Statistics South Africa estimated the country’s population at approximately 63.5 million in mid-2026.
These figures demonstrate the scale of the task facing operators if biometric verification is extended across the entire mobile market.
What the proposed rules mean for ordinary South Africans
For everyday mobile users, the biggest change could be the introduction of fingerprint or facial checks when activating or reactivating a number.
Existing customers may also be contacted or required to complete verification during the transition period.
People who use several SIM cards across different networks should pay attention to the proposed five-number limit per operator.
Foreign visitors purchasing local SIM cards may also face restrictions linked to their visa validity or the 90-day period.
Although the main purpose of the changes is to reduce SIM fraud, operators will need to make the verification process accessible and protect customers’ personal information.
Importantly, the rules remain proposals while the public consultation process is underway. South Africans should therefore wait for Icasa to publish the final regulations before treating the measures as confirmed requirements.
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Conclusion: South Africa prepares for biometric SIM verification
The New Biometric SIM Rule Coming for SA Phones could introduce major changes to how mobile identities are verified across South Africa.
Icasa’s draft regulations propose fingerprint and facial recognition checks, verification of existing subscribers, limits on mobile numbers and stricter rules for foreign visitors.
The measures are designed to reduce SIM fraud and improve the accuracy of subscriber records. However, their success will depend on effective implementation, reliable technology and strong protection of personal information.
South Africans should follow Icasa’s public consultation process and await the final regulations to understand exactly when and how the new requirements will apply.
Stay connected with eKayNews for the latest South African technology news, consumer updates, business developments and breaking news at www.eKayNews.co.za.
References from mainstream media
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TechCentral: “Icasa wants your fingerprint before you can get a Sim card” – https://techcentral.co.za/icasa-biometric-sim-verification-fingerprint/287770/
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MyBroadband: “New rules to close a big SIM card fraud loophole proposed in South Africa” – https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/674648-new-rules-to-close-a-big-sim-card-fraud-loophole-proposed-in-south-africa.html
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ENSAfrica: “Your face for a SIM card? ICASA’s biometric verification proposal” – https://www.ensafrica.com/news/detail/12700/your-face-for-a-sim-card-icasas-biometric-ver
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SA Tribune: “Icasa Plans Fingerprint Checks for All SIM Cards” – https://satribune.co.za/icasa-plans-fingerprint-checks-for-sim-cards/
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