Did the UK lift the requirement for registering SIM cards? [on hold]
18
I understand that for some years now there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification of the owner of a SIM card prior to its activation. I.e. in Germany, for example, one has to show an ID card to the vendor when buying in a shop or use a video ident system to identify.
So I was very suprised when I recently bought a SIM in the UK which "just worked", i.e. I put in in my phone and I was able to make and receive calls. Nobody asked me even for my name.
Did that regulation get loosened? Is it just the UK or also other countries in the EU?
cellphones
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
put on hold as off-topic by David Richerby, Aganju, Giorgio, Aleks G, JonathanReez♦ 2 days ago
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
|
show 7 more comments
18
I understand that for some years now there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification of the owner of a SIM card prior to its activation. I.e. in Germany, for example, one has to show an ID card to the vendor when buying in a shop or use a video ident system to identify.
So I was very suprised when I recently bought a SIM in the UK which "just worked", i.e. I put in in my phone and I was able to make and receive calls. Nobody asked me even for my name.
Did that regulation get loosened? Is it just the UK or also other countries in the EU?
cellphones
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
put on hold as off-topic by David Richerby, Aganju, Giorgio, Aleks G, JonathanReez♦ 2 days ago
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
2
Netherlands never had mandatory registration for SIM cards. Of course if you buy a contract you're going to need to identify yourself and supply bank information for billing, but for prepaid cards there's no such requirement.
– jwenting
Mar 21 at 9:46
3
You can get sim cards from vending machines so I doubt there's any regulation for pay as you go sim cards in the UK, not sure about the rest of Europe
– BritishSam
Mar 21 at 9:58
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about law, not about travel. (The only connection to travel is that the asker happens to have been travelling when they noticed it.)
– David Richerby
Mar 21 at 11:50
2
I bought a SIM card yesterday in the Czech Republic, which "just worked" and I didn't give any details. I have done so many times in the UK, and have previously done so in Poland. I would say the premise of this question is incorrect.
– JBentley
Mar 21 at 12:23
2
"there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification".. it's always fascinating how national legislation that people might disagree with magically transform into "EU regulations", isn't it?
– Voo
2 days ago
|
show 7 more comments
18
18
18
1
I understand that for some years now there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification of the owner of a SIM card prior to its activation. I.e. in Germany, for example, one has to show an ID card to the vendor when buying in a shop or use a video ident system to identify.
So I was very suprised when I recently bought a SIM in the UK which "just worked", i.e. I put in in my phone and I was able to make and receive calls. Nobody asked me even for my name.
Did that regulation get loosened? Is it just the UK or also other countries in the EU?
cellphones
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
I understand that for some years now there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification of the owner of a SIM card prior to its activation. I.e. in Germany, for example, one has to show an ID card to the vendor when buying in a shop or use a video ident system to identify.
So I was very suprised when I recently bought a SIM in the UK which "just worked", i.e. I put in in my phone and I was able to make and receive calls. Nobody asked me even for my name.
Did that regulation get loosened? Is it just the UK or also other countries in the EU?
cellphones
cellphones
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
asked Mar 21 at 9:29
TorstenSTorstenS
879612
879612
put on hold as off-topic by David Richerby, Aganju, Giorgio, Aleks G, JonathanReez♦ 2 days ago
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as off-topic by David Richerby, Aganju, Giorgio, Aleks G, JonathanReez♦ 2 days ago
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
2
Netherlands never had mandatory registration for SIM cards. Of course if you buy a contract you're going to need to identify yourself and supply bank information for billing, but for prepaid cards there's no such requirement.
– jwenting
Mar 21 at 9:46
3
You can get sim cards from vending machines so I doubt there's any regulation for pay as you go sim cards in the UK, not sure about the rest of Europe
– BritishSam
Mar 21 at 9:58
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about law, not about travel. (The only connection to travel is that the asker happens to have been travelling when they noticed it.)
– David Richerby
Mar 21 at 11:50
2
I bought a SIM card yesterday in the Czech Republic, which "just worked" and I didn't give any details. I have done so many times in the UK, and have previously done so in Poland. I would say the premise of this question is incorrect.
– JBentley
Mar 21 at 12:23
2
"there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification".. it's always fascinating how national legislation that people might disagree with magically transform into "EU regulations", isn't it?
– Voo
2 days ago
|
show 7 more comments
2
Netherlands never had mandatory registration for SIM cards. Of course if you buy a contract you're going to need to identify yourself and supply bank information for billing, but for prepaid cards there's no such requirement.
– jwenting
Mar 21 at 9:46
3
You can get sim cards from vending machines so I doubt there's any regulation for pay as you go sim cards in the UK, not sure about the rest of Europe
– BritishSam
Mar 21 at 9:58
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about law, not about travel. (The only connection to travel is that the asker happens to have been travelling when they noticed it.)
– David Richerby
Mar 21 at 11:50
2
I bought a SIM card yesterday in the Czech Republic, which "just worked" and I didn't give any details. I have done so many times in the UK, and have previously done so in Poland. I would say the premise of this question is incorrect.
– JBentley
Mar 21 at 12:23
2
"there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification".. it's always fascinating how national legislation that people might disagree with magically transform into "EU regulations", isn't it?
– Voo
2 days ago
2
2
Netherlands never had mandatory registration for SIM cards. Of course if you buy a contract you're going to need to identify yourself and supply bank information for billing, but for prepaid cards there's no such requirement.
– jwenting
Mar 21 at 9:46
Netherlands never had mandatory registration for SIM cards. Of course if you buy a contract you're going to need to identify yourself and supply bank information for billing, but for prepaid cards there's no such requirement.
– jwenting
Mar 21 at 9:46
3
3
You can get sim cards from vending machines so I doubt there's any regulation for pay as you go sim cards in the UK, not sure about the rest of Europe
– BritishSam
Mar 21 at 9:58
You can get sim cards from vending machines so I doubt there's any regulation for pay as you go sim cards in the UK, not sure about the rest of Europe
– BritishSam
Mar 21 at 9:58
9
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about law, not about travel. (The only connection to travel is that the asker happens to have been travelling when they noticed it.)
– David Richerby
Mar 21 at 11:50
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about law, not about travel. (The only connection to travel is that the asker happens to have been travelling when they noticed it.)
– David Richerby
Mar 21 at 11:50
2
2
I bought a SIM card yesterday in the Czech Republic, which "just worked" and I didn't give any details. I have done so many times in the UK, and have previously done so in Poland. I would say the premise of this question is incorrect.
– JBentley
Mar 21 at 12:23
I bought a SIM card yesterday in the Czech Republic, which "just worked" and I didn't give any details. I have done so many times in the UK, and have previously done so in Poland. I would say the premise of this question is incorrect.
– JBentley
Mar 21 at 12:23
2
2
"there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification".. it's always fascinating how national legislation that people might disagree with magically transform into "EU regulations", isn't it?
– Voo
2 days ago
"there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification".. it's always fascinating how national legislation that people might disagree with magically transform into "EU regulations", isn't it?
– Voo
2 days ago
|
show 7 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
46
No (because there was no such requirement in the first place). You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK. There is a trend towards this measure in other European countries, but there is no EU legislation on the matter.
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
2
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
2
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
3
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
1
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
2
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
2
You’ll need an ID to enter a contract, not to buy a SIM card. The provider wants to make sure you’ll pay your bills and wants to know who you are. If you buy a pre-paid card no such ID is needed...
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
46
No (because there was no such requirement in the first place). You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK. There is a trend towards this measure in other European countries, but there is no EU legislation on the matter.
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
2
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
2
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
3
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
1
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
2
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
46
No (because there was no such requirement in the first place). You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK. There is a trend towards this measure in other European countries, but there is no EU legislation on the matter.
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
2
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
2
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
3
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
1
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
2
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
46
46
46
No (because there was no such requirement in the first place). You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK. There is a trend towards this measure in other European countries, but there is no EU legislation on the matter.
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
No (because there was no such requirement in the first place). You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK. There is a trend towards this measure in other European countries, but there is no EU legislation on the matter.
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
answered Mar 21 at 10:27
MJeffryesMJeffryes
5,61421841
5,61421841
2
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
2
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
3
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
1
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
2
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
2
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
2
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
3
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
1
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
2
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
2
2
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
You are right; there is indeed no EU legislation on this, I was mislead but the fact that indeed most (but not all) of the EU countries have imposed such rules lately, but indeed the UK did not.
– TorstenS
Mar 21 at 11:01
2
2
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
Actually in 4/2019 the UK is introducing age-verification for adult content, per the Digital Economy Act (2017). It doesn't directly mandate registering SIMs, but users' web use will be traceable back to their identity documents/ face scans, and potentially also their SIMs.
– smci
2 days ago
3
3
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
@TorstenS Can you reference that or please stop posting things that are not true. It's confusing.
– Keith Loughnane
2 days ago
1
1
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
@MJeffryes: yes it is, for reasons stated above to DavidRicherby. You flatly claimed "You have never been required to register SIM cards in the UK", which will be incorrect as of 4/2019 for all users using the new incoming age-verification system for adult sites. The age-registration scheme will allow tracing mobile web use to the SIM. (Which parts of UK law enforcement may use that, for what purposes, is not public).
– smci
2 days ago
2
2
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
@smci I do not understand what you are getting at. The conditions under which you would be subject to age verification are purely voluntary. Furthermore, there is an anonymous procedure for completing it, involving buying a card from a convenience store. None of this has anything to do with registering SIM cards. If you want to advance this argument further, please write your own answer.
– MJeffryes
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
2
You’ll need an ID to enter a contract, not to buy a SIM card. The provider wants to make sure you’ll pay your bills and wants to know who you are. If you buy a pre-paid card no such ID is needed...
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
2
You’ll need an ID to enter a contract, not to buy a SIM card. The provider wants to make sure you’ll pay your bills and wants to know who you are. If you buy a pre-paid card no such ID is needed...
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
2
2
2
You’ll need an ID to enter a contract, not to buy a SIM card. The provider wants to make sure you’ll pay your bills and wants to know who you are. If you buy a pre-paid card no such ID is needed...
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You’ll need an ID to enter a contract, not to buy a SIM card. The provider wants to make sure you’ll pay your bills and wants to know who you are. If you buy a pre-paid card no such ID is needed...
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
answered Mar 22 at 2:33
patrickpatrick
1212
1212
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
patrick is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
2
Netherlands never had mandatory registration for SIM cards. Of course if you buy a contract you're going to need to identify yourself and supply bank information for billing, but for prepaid cards there's no such requirement.
– jwenting
Mar 21 at 9:46
3
You can get sim cards from vending machines so I doubt there's any regulation for pay as you go sim cards in the UK, not sure about the rest of Europe
– BritishSam
Mar 21 at 9:58
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about law, not about travel. (The only connection to travel is that the asker happens to have been travelling when they noticed it.)
– David Richerby
Mar 21 at 11:50
2
I bought a SIM card yesterday in the Czech Republic, which "just worked" and I didn't give any details. I have done so many times in the UK, and have previously done so in Poland. I would say the premise of this question is incorrect.
– JBentley
Mar 21 at 12:23
2
"there is an EU regulation which requires proper identification".. it's always fascinating how national legislation that people might disagree with magically transform into "EU regulations", isn't it?
– Voo
2 days ago