President Claudia Sheinbaum said the Mexican federal government does not store registration records for cellular lines, as that data remains with telecom companies.
This clarification comes amid public concern over government surveillance and confusion regarding the timeline for mandatory phone registration. The move seeks to ensure citizens comply with the law without fearing state data collection.
During a morning press conference in Mexico City, Sheinbaum addressed rumors that the administration was building a centralized database of phone users. She said the information is held by the providers under existing legal frameworks, not by the government.
The president also addressed the timeline for the mandatory registration of cellular lines. The original deadline for the process was June 30, 2026 [1]. However, the government has since granted extensions to allow more users to complete the process.
Reports on the exact new deadlines vary. One announcement set a final date of July 31, 2026 [3]. Other reports indicate a more gradual rollout, with a registration calendar spanning from August to December 2026 [2]. Under this second schedule, the specific deadline for a user depends on the last digit of their phone number [2].
Despite these extensions, some misinformation has circulated suggesting the registration process was canceled entirely. Fact-checks have confirmed that the registration remains mandatory and is not canceled.
The government continues to urge citizens to register their lines with their respective service providers to avoid service interruptions. The extensions are intended to prevent a sudden loss of connectivity for millions of users who missed the initial June cutoff.
“the federal government does not store the registration records of cellular lines”
The discrepancy in reported deadlines—ranging from July to December 2026—suggests a fragmented communication strategy or a phased implementation plan. By distancing the federal government from the data storage process, Sheinbaum is attempting to mitigate privacy concerns that could otherwise lead to widespread non-compliance with the mandatory registration law.
