Marrakech – During a recent parliamentary session, Ghita Mezzour, the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, announced that the Moroccan government has given telecom companies a three-month deadline to identify all anonymous phone numbers. Failure to comply will result in the suspension of these unidentified lines.
Mezzour emphasized that the legal framework for telecommunications services requires both individuals and institutions to be properly identified by public telecommunications network operators. This includes subscribers who purchased SIM cards from various distributors, sellers, or commercial agents.
Measures by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT)
The ANRT has implemented measures to curb the proliferation of anonymous phone numbers, including a decision requiring operators to update their subscriber databases with detailed information such as the subscriber’s name, surname, ID number, and subscription date for each active number.
Mezzour highlighted that telecom operators have been responsive, complying with the provisions of the decision and actively implementing them. She assured the public that Morocco has robust security agencies monitoring the issue and that there is no need for concern.
In recent weeks, a significant number of anonymous numbers have been suspended. Operators now have a three-month grace period to provide identity information for each phone number in their database or face the suspension of the concerned SIM card.
This government initiative aims to enhance security and accountability in the telecommunications sector by ensuring all phone numbers are properly identified and linked to their respective owners.