The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) performs regular studies and surveys in the telecommunications sector within the UAE, to provide the best standards and to ensure the privacy of mobile phone subscribers.During a recent study that TRA had conducted, it was noticed that a lot of mobile subscribers have been issuing SIM cards and giving them to users other than themselves; consequently, this had resulted in problems for the actual owners of these numbers.
Besides, the usage of mobile phones has varied with the development witnessed in today’s world. Mobile phones are no longer limited to making calls or sending and receiving text messages; in fact, users can now login to the internet, send e-mails, and utilize other available services, which could easily facilitate the misuse.
H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General said: “It is obvious that the rights and privacy of mobile users is a priority to the TRA. Nonetheless, the results of our studies show an increase in civil and criminal cases caused by the fact that some mobile subscribers give away their SIM cards to other users who may misuse the number. This would result in legal questioning and sometimes financial accountability for mobile numbers where the ID of the user and the ID of the actual owner do not match. This may also lead to threatening the privacy of mobile subscribers if misuse occurs by the users of those numbers which would obviously cause problems for the actual registered owners.”
Moreover, the use of mobile numbers by users who are not the actual owners may result in serious problems if the number gets misused and in some cases this may be considered a violation to the UAE law. This includes behavior such as abuse, insult and more; or getting involved in a crime and performing any type of voice or data call; which will evidently lead to the owners of the number, making them legally accountable with concerned authorities.
In the case of postpaid numbers, the user may conduct phone calls that can lead to significant charges and cost implications; where the actual owner of the number may not be able to accommodate but is still financially accountable to the licensees.
Then again, the consequences are not only limited to legal and financial liabilities faced by the actual owners of these numbers; the unregistered users will also not be able to benefit from the wide range of services provided to facilitate connectivity though mobile phones. The user, who is not the owner of the number, will not be able to perform a SIM Swap in case it got stolen or lost, and they cannot reactivate the line if the account is deactivated for any reason. Also, the users cannot migrate from postpaid to prepaid or vice versa, nor can they add new services (such as international roaming, data bundle, etc.) In addition, the users cannot redeem or collect bonus minutes, prizes, points, or any other promotional services provided by the licensees.
The TRA highlights this issue in line with its continuous aim to protect the interests of mobile users and is committed to constantly enhance the provided services in the telecommunications sector within the UAE.
