New anti-terror regulations for mobile phone users in Côte d’Ivoire

In a bid to counter the terrorists’ fraudulent use of mobile phones and SIM cards registered under aliases and stolen identities, authorities in Côte d’Ivoire announced that all Ivorian mobile phone subscribers will need to update and confirm their identification to the Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications of Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) within six month. Ivorian nationals will be required to show their national ID card, a biometric passport, or a driver’s license, whereas non-nationals will have to present a biometric passport or national ID. Users who are not able to provide acceptable identification within the set time will have their mobile phone services suspended; if users are unable to comply within two months of the suspension, their cell service will be canceled.