Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has begun implementing a new identity verification platform for mobile phone users, aiming to reduce phone-based crimes such as extortion. The system, which became mandatory this month, requires users to register their mobile lines through a secure process that uses biometric validation and anti-spoofing technology.
CRT president Norma Solano emphasized that the initiative is not a surveillance tool. In an effort to address privacy concerns, she clarified that user data—limited to name, national ID number (CURP), and phone number—is stored by telecom companies, not the government. No biometric data is retained. “The government does not spy on you,” Solano stated, underscoring that the registry is designed for public safety rather than state monitoring.
The move targets Mexico’s 134 million prepaid mobile lines, which account for 85% of the country’s 158 million active numbers and are currently unregistered. Authorities argue that the anonymity of these lines has facilitated widespread criminal activity. In 2024 alone, an estimated 90% of the country’s 7.4 million extortion cases were conducted via phone calls.
If you associate your line with your identity, it doesn’t mean the government will be watching you.
To counter this trend, the CRT has introduced a platform modeled on systems used by banks—among the most regulated sectors in Mexico. The registration process includes facial recognition and movement detection to verify that a real person is present during registration. Attempts to use PDFs, photocopies, or AI-generated images are automatically rejected.
“If you associate your line with your identity, it doesn’t mean the government will be watching you,” Solano said. “These databases are held by private companies who are legally obligated to protect them.”
As of January 2026, nearly 3.4 million lines have been registered under the new system. To accelerate adoption, telecom providers will launch a mass public information campaign in coordination with the CRT and federal authorities. The campaign will focus on educating users about the registration process and warning against fraudulent chip sales, particularly those advertised on social media as pre-registered.
The CRT is also working with cyber police units and Facebook to monitor and remove fake registration portals and illegal chip sales from online platforms. According to Solano, these efforts include real-time takedowns of misleading content and keyword blocking mechanisms similar to those used by tax authorities.
While officials frame the registry as aligning Mexico with global norms—most countries require mobile lines to be linked to verified users—civil liberties advocates remain cautious. Critics argue that even if biometric data is not stored, centralized identity verification systems could still pose risks if oversight or enforcement falters.
There are also practical concerns about implementation. Some users may lack access to digital tools or valid identification documents required for registration. If compliance proves uneven, the registry’s effectiveness in deterring crime could be limited.
Nonetheless, authorities maintain that linking phone numbers to real identities is a necessary step toward curbing extortion and other phone-enabled crimes. As Solano put it, “If there weren’t a serious problem with extortion—which has risen dramatically in recent years—we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
