Registration of SIM cards in Cyprus: a step toward security or a tool of total control?

Starting November 10, Cyprus will join 160 countries where purchasing prepaid SIM cards is possible only upon presenting an ID. Owners of already active numbers must also complete registration, otherwise they risk losing service.

According to authorities, the goal of the measure is to combat crime, as anonymous numbers are often used in drug trafficking, smuggling, and other illegal schemes. One such number appeared in a recent investigation into the murder of Stavros Dimosthenous.

Now, attempting to register a SIM card under another person’s name could result in a fine of up to €50,000 or imprisonment.

Similar measures are already in place in Germany, France, and Australia, where registration includes video identification and address verification.

However, the new rule has sparked debate. Critics fear data leaks, as personal information will be transmitted to mobile operators. According to research by Regula, 34% of Cypriots are concerned about the safety of their digital data.

Cyta assures that the process is simple — you only need to present an ID or ARC document. Registration can be completed in person or online.

Still, experts note that not all social groups will easily adapt. According to student Alexandra Theodoru, elderly people and migrants may struggle with digital procedures.

Concerns also arise regarding privacy violations. One user reported that his ID was photographed and stored in a shared folder accessible to all store employees.

Authorities claim the new system will be part of Cyprus’s digital modernization. But society remains divided — between the desire for security and the fear of total surveillance and data leaks.