Icasa proposes biometric checks for SIM card activation

South Africa's communications regulator Icasa has published draft rules requiring fingerprint or facial verification against home affairs records when activating, reactivating or swapping a SIM card. Existing subscribers must be verified within two years, with a five-number cap per operator and fines of up to R4-million per contravention.

• Biometric checks required for activation and SIM swaps
• Existing subscribers must be verified within two years
• Cap of five numbers per subscriber per operator
• Fines range from R1-million to R4-million per violation