Filenews 22 October 2021 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The anonymity of those who buy cards "so easy" is "broken", an issue that has been discussed for years, since a law proposal will force those who buy such cards to give their details.
The law proposal was submitted yesterday to parliament by the MP of DIPA Marinos Mousiouttas, while in the Parliament another relevant proposal and bill is pending. The purpose of the law proposal is to establish a legal framework for the identification of owners and users of prepaid airtime mobile telephony equipment and services, in order to safeguard the safety and protection of public order and individuals in general from the commission of criminal acts.
With the passage of the proposed law, it is expected that the phenomenon of anonymous phone calls and messages that nowadays afflict the owners of telephones is expected to disappear. It will also help to investigate serious criminal offences.
As foreseen, the holder of a prepaid mobile phone card, declares the identity data to the seller by filling in a written solemn declaration and presenting his identity card or passport or, in the case of a third-country national, his residence permit. It will not be allowed to enter into a seller's contract with a minor but his guardian will be able to do so. Also, in case the user of the mobile terminal is a different person from the owner, the holder notifies the seller by written solemn declaration of the user's identity data.
The bill also provides for penalties for those who provide false statements and/or identity data and, if convicted, they are subject to a prison sentence not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand euros or to both of these penalties.
Also, anyone who fails to declare the user's identity is guilty of an offence and, if convicted, is liable to a prison sentence not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding five thousand euros, or to both of these penalties. In the event that someone loses or in case of theft of the SIM card, the holder notifies the provider of its disconnection and in case of omission he will be subject to imprisonment of up to one year or 10. 000 euros fine.
It is also provided that the provider is obliged, 12 months after the enactment of the law, to inform by any means the anonymous holders of prepaid mobile phone talk time, so that they can declare the owner's identity data and the call number.
