New tech to be embraced by phone carriers for secure SIM card registration checks
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in Thailand has announced a new requirement for mobile operators, aimed at combating identity theft and fraud. From August 2025, all mobile phone operators in Thailand, including True and Advanced Info Service (AIS), will use anti-fraud photo and video technology for real-time user verification during SIM card registration.
The new system, called Liveness Detection Technology, will apply to all new prepaid and postpaid users, as well as existing users changing SIM cards while keeping the same number. This technology verifies the user’s real-time presence through facial recognition, ensuring the person is not a static photo, video, or 3D mask.
Previously, SIM registration only required a simple photo, which criminals exploited by using stolen images or videos to impersonate others. The Liveness Detection system closes this loophole by confirming the registrant is physically present and authentic, preventing fraudulent SIM registrations that facilitate scams like SIM-swap attacks.
Users can register and verify their identity via mobile operators' apps, service centres, and authorized dealers nationwide. Registration documents must be original and valid for SIM card registration. The facial recognition system in Liveness Detection Technology may prompt the user to blink, remain still, or perform other actions similar to verification steps in banking applications.
Thai nationals are required to present their original national ID card for SIM card registration. Thai juristic persons are required to present their Certificate of juristic person and ID documents of authorized representatives. Non-Thai nationals are required to present their original passport for SIM card registration.
The NBTC prioritizes consumer protection and aims to enhance trust in telecommunications services, reducing the risk of cyber threats and crimes that exploit phone numbers. By enforcing this technology nationwide, Thailand aims to reduce cybercrime involving phone numbers, safeguard personal data, and build a safer digital society.
The implementation of Liveness Detection Technology for all new SIM card registrations is expected to begin soon, according to the announcement made by NBTC commissioner Natthorn Phaosunthon. Operators are mandated to ensure strong data protection aligned with Thailand’s regulatory standards and the Personal Data Protection Act.
This new technology differs from the previous process, which allowed registration with a simple photo. The new requirement applies to all new SIM card registrations, marking a significant step towards securing Thailand’s telecommunications infrastructure.
- The new anti-fraud technology being implemented for SIM card registration in Thailand, known as Liveness Detection Technology, also includes cybersecurity measures to prevent cybercrime.
- With the introduction of Liveness Detection Technology, the practice of using simple photos for SIM card registration, which was often exploited by criminals, will be eliminated, improving data-and-cloud-computing security.
- This technology's implementation in sports, business, or any other domain where identity verification is crucial could potentially reduce instances of identity theft and fraud, enhancing overall security and trust.
