NBTC Board Greenlights Biometric SIM Registration in Fraud Crackdown

[webfact]

AN composite for reference only

 

In a decisive move aimed at tackling online fraud, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in Thailand has approved a draft mandating biometric verification for SIM card registration. This significant policy shift is designed to curb the misuse of personal identities in digital transactions and bolster security across mobile networks.

 

Effective in 180 days, this new regulation requires all mobile operators in Thailand to implement a liveness detection technology for SIM card registration.

 

The urgency of the measure stems from growing incidents of identity theft, where culprits use manipulated or outdated images to register SIM cards for fraudulent activities. Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, NBTC's board chairman, emphasised the importance of this system to prevent such malicious acts and ensure the integrity of user data.

 

The initiative, however, recognises potential challenges for specific groups. Concessions are made for vulnerable populations such as the disabled and elderly, allowing mobile operators to employ more flexible methods for these users' registration, ensuring that accessibility remains uncompromised.

Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn, an NBTC commissioner, highlighted that this update is an enhancement of the 2019 regulations concerning SIM registration and data collection. The upgraded biometric requirement is explicitly intended to clamp down on 'mule' accounts—bogus accounts typically used for fraudulent operations.

 

The policy dictates that within 180 days of enactment, all mobile operators must integrate a biometric system into their registration processes, both in-store and through digital applications.

 

Non-compliance carries stiff penalties, ranging from fines to the potential revocation of operating licences. Moreover, operators failing to adopt the system could face reputational damage through public censure, which could impact their market position significantly.

 

Currently, some operators utilise components of biometric systems; however, the NBTC insists on a comprehensive approach akin to those employed in mobile banking, ensuring superior security standards.

 

By directly engaging with telecommunications providers during the drafting process, the NBTC aims to smoothen the transition, facilitating a more robust regulatory environment. The ultimate goal is the significant reduction of fraudulent 'mule' accounts, providing consumers with a safer online environment.

 

This policy not only underscores the NBTC's commitment to combating digital fraud but also sets a new precedent for security standards within the telecommunications sector in Thailand, reporting Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-20

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Currently, some operators utilise components of biometric systems; however, the NBTC insists on a comprehensive approach akin to those employed in mobile banking, ensuring superior security standards.

 

I was in one of my major Thai bank company branches today for some business, and while there, happened to ask if I could register my biometrics for my account, because the same issue had cropped up recently in another issue....

 

The bank CSR there understood my request and replied that the banking biometric system, at least as used by my major Thai banking company, only is capable of registering THAIS, not farangs.

 

Not sure if that's going to end up being a GOOD thing, or a BAD thingn down the road....

 

Just waiting for the bank, one of these days, to tell me I can't do this or that kind of transaction via their mobile app because I don't have the biometrics registered for my account....

[John Drake]

53 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The bank CSR there understood my request and replied that the banking biometric system, at least as used by my major Thai banking company, only is capable of registering THAIS, not farangs.

 

So far, one of my banks says the same as yours and insisted I sign a form disavowing any recourse to fraud. My other bank had my photo requirement on the phone app working, but it stopped. I then had to in a few weeks ago and reregister the photograph and passport information. The latter bank still allows for online banking, however, which I prefer. The first bank mention cancelled that service, along with bank branches and ATMs in my area, all but making use of the phone app mandatory for anything outside of a visit to the bank.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

20 minutes ago, John Drake said:

So far, one of my banks says the same as yours and insisted I sign a form disavowing any recourse to fraud.

 

Yep, the rep there at my SCB branch had me sign the same form, which I gather, pertained just to to international fund transfers... which I don't do thru SCB anyway.

 

I rarely use SCB for much of anything. But I also was surprised to discover that since the last time I went looking, they also have scrapped their former online banking website and now are 100% mobile app only, something that CIMB previously did as well.

 

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but this march toward reliance only on mobile phone apps in lieu of web based banking seems the wrong way to go.... I'm OK to have BOTH, but really dislike them discontinuing their web-based online banking. That also was another reason that I let my former CIMB account go inactive and ultimately closed.

 

[lordgrinz]

I literally haven't stepped into a physical bank more than twice in the last 30 years, I much prefer the app or online for all my banking or investment accounts. I wasn't too thrilled with the online version of SCB's system, but the app works perfectly, does everything I want, easy to keep track of everything too.

[lordgrinz]

Just out of curiosity, but what happens when the scammers get hold of large databases of all the biometrics stored in questionable vendors hands? No more need to even have a live person, they will have all biometrics they need to complete their scams with impunity.

[redwood1]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Just out of curiosity, but what happens when the scammers get hold of large databases of all the biometrics stored in questionable vendors hands? No more need to even have a live person, they will have all biometrics they need to complete their scams with impunity.

 

Sure the bio metrics will fail.....Its ment to fail....

 

They want the biometrics to fail...

 

Because then they can sell you the only 100% safe solution to security there is....

 

The micro chip implant..... The Bible was right all along.

 

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