Millions of Mexican mobile-phone users face service suspension if they fail to link their phone lines to the CURP registration system [1].
The mandate aims to eliminate the anonymity that facilitates digital crimes, including scams and extortion, as directed by the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT) [3, 4]. By tying every active line to a unique population registry code, the government intends to create a traceable digital footprint for all mobile communications nationwide [4].
Reports on the exact deadline for compliance vary. Some sources said the registration deadline was July 1, 2024 [1, 2], while other reports indicate a deadline of June 30, 2026 [5]. The registration process originally began on Jan. 9, 2024 [5].
Regardless of the date, the CRT has established a strict enforcement window. Users who have not complied will receive a notice, followed by a 15-day grace period before their service is suspended [1, 2]. Ricardo Castañeda said the process is "without extension or margin of error" [1].
The scale of the remaining task is significant. Of the 144 million mobile lines in Mexico, only 60 million have been registered thus far [2]. This leaves over 80 million lines currently ineligible for continued service if the deadline is strictly enforced [2].
Users are required to provide their Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP) to their respective service providers to avoid disconnection. The measure applies nationwide, affecting all mobile carriers operating within Mexico [3, 4].
“"Sin prórroga ni margen de error."”
The push for CURP integration represents a significant shift in Mexico's approach to cybersecurity and crime prevention. By removing the ability to maintain anonymous prepaid lines, the state increases its surveillance capabilities to disrupt organized crime networks. However, the discrepancy in reported deadlines suggests potential administrative delays or a phased rollout, which may leave millions of users vulnerable to sudden service loss.
