Currently, many people maintain many phone numbers at the same time for work, business or simply keep SIMs they used before. However, after the recent subscriber review, the story of keeping SIMs that are no longer needed is receiving special attention.
According to statistics from the Telecommunications Authority, out of about 18 million subscribers who have not confirmed their usage status, about 10 million numbers are assessed as having a high probability of no longer needing to use or not excluding the possibility that they are pre-activated SIMs. The analysis is based on many signs such as no consumption occurring for a long time or one individual being the name of many subscribers.
What should I do?
According to the Telecommunications Authority, for phone numbers that are no longer needed, people should proactively contact telecommunications businesses to terminate contracts or complete necessary procedures.
Letting a SIM card exist for a long time but not managing it, not actually using it, can generate many risks, especially when the phone number is still in the original owner's name.
In case the subscriber number is used by another person or violations of the law arise, the initial verification process may still involve the registrant.
Reduce the risk of personal information being exploited
Phone numbers currently not only serve communication but are also associated with many digital services such as banking, e-wallets, social networks and other online platforms.
If some old phone numbers are no longer strictly managed but still exist on the system, the risk of being abused or used for the wrong purpose will increase.
Proactively reviewing and canceling unused SIMs is also a way to protect personal data and minimize risks in the digital environment.
Cleaning subscriber data
This subscriber status confirmation is considered the next step in the process of cleaning telecommunications data.
Previously, in 2023, telecommunications businesses recalled about 6 million subscribers who did not meet the information standardization requirements.
The new review not only focuses on verifying registration information but also requires users to confirm that the phone number is still used by themselves.
According to the Telecommunications Authority, the ultimate goal is to build an accurate subscriber database, limit junk SIMs, pre-activated SIMs and reduce fraudulent acts using non-genuine phone numbers.
What should people do?
People should check all phone numbers that are in their names on the VNeID application or through telecommunications businesses.
For numbers that are still in use, it is necessary to complete confirmation according to regulations to avoid service interruption.
Conversely, for SIMs that are no longer needed, people should proactively carry out contract termination procedures instead of continuing to maintain them formally, contributing to cleaning up subscriber data and minimizing risks arising in the future.
