“iAM Smart” as default registration method for Hong Kong ID card holders when completing real name registration for prepaid SIM cards from October 1 (with photos)

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today (September 27) announced the latest enhanced scheme of the Real-name Registration Program for SIM cards (Real-name Registration Program). From October 1, Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) holders who complete real name registration for prepaid cards (PPS cards) through the online registration platforms of telecommunications service providers can register and verify their identity by default through the mobile application “iAM Smart” so that they can complete the registration can complete immediately. The enhancement is intended to ensure the effective implementation of the Real-name Registration Program and enable members of the public to activate their PPS cards more easily.


According to the Telecommunications (SIM Card Registration) Regulation (the Regulation), Hong Kong residents must use HKID cards to register their real names. If members of the public choose not to use “iAM Smart” for real name registration for PPS cards, telecommunications service providers will manually verify the registration information submitted upon receipt of the relevant registration requests, and will issue the relevant PPS cards will be activated upon completion of registration. the registration procedures for real names. OFCA has already asked telecommunications service providers to deploy additional resources and manpower to process such verification work. Users in need may contact their respective telecommunications carriers for further information.


“To assist enforcement agencies in combating fraudsters who misuse false information for registrations, OFCA maintains close contact with telecommunications service providers and law enforcement, and has continuously asked telecommunications service providers to improve their registration platforms, taking into account operational experiences since the full implementation of the Real-Name Registration Program in February last year. The digital identity authentication function of “iAM Smart” can help verify the identity of those who complete the real-name registration with their HKID cards, further ensuring the effective implementation of the Real-Name registration. Real Name Registration Program. “We urge the public to use “iAM Smart” for immediate completion of real name registration procedures, making it easier to activate their PPS cards,” an OFCA spokesperson said.

To help the public better understand the relevant improvement, OFCA and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) today jointly carried out publicity and information activities in Mong Kok, and organized “iAM Smart” mobile registration teams to assist members of the public when registering for “iAM Smart” on site. OFCA employees also distributed leaflets and souvenirs to remind members of the public not to purchase or resell PPS cards who have reportedly completed the registration of their real names.


In addition, OFCA has asked telecommunications service providers to intensify their inspection of user information on registered PPS cards and refer suspected cases to law enforcement for follow-up to help combat telephone fraud. By the end of August this year, telecommunications service providers had rejected about 3 million registration requests because customers did not provide information that meets registration requirements, and had issued about 2.64 million non-compliant PPS cards. Previously, based on reports from telecommunications service providers, police have successfully arrested suspects for using fake identity details to register a large number of PPS cards, including the telephone deception case involving a transnational crime syndicate, as previous month announced.


“To avoid violating relevant laws, members of the public must complete the registration of their real name with their own original identity document, and traders must not assist persons using a third party’s identity document in completing the registration. OFCA will continue to use the third party identification document. carry out a series of monitoring actions to ensure that telecommunications service providers comply with the requirements of the regulation and relevant guidelines,” the spokesperson added.


Details of the real name registration program are available on OFCA’s thematic website (www.ofca.gov.hk/simreg/en). For more information about the “iAM Smart” services, please visit the DPO’s thematic website “iAM Smart” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/).

Ends/Friday September 27, 2024

Released at HKT 6:38 PM

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