Mexico now requires all mobile phone lines to be linked to a person's Unique Population Registry Code, known as CURP [1].
This measure aims to eliminate anonymous phone lines that facilitate fraud and other criminal activities. By ensuring every active number is tied to an identifiable individual, the government intends to increase accountability and security across the nationwide telecommunications network [4, 5].
Norma Solano Rodríguez, the presiding commissioner of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT), said the step-by-step process for users to complete the linkage [1, 2]. The regulator said that failing to complete this process by the established deadline would lead to consequences for the user's service.
The mandatory requirement for all mobile lines to be linked to a CURP began on Jan. 9, 2026 [3]. Users must follow the specific registration guidelines provided by the CRT to ensure their lines remain active.
The initiative targets the ability of criminals to operate without a digital footprint. Because anonymous lines allow users to bypass identity verification, they have historically served as a tool for illicit communications, and financial scams [4, 5].
Solano Rodríguez said the process is designed to be straightforward for the general public. The CRT is providing guidance to help citizens navigate the linkage without complications to avoid the suspension of their mobile services [1, 2].
“All mobile lines must be linked to a CURP starting Friday 9 January 2026.”
This regulatory shift represents a tightening of digital surveillance and identity verification in Mexico. By removing the anonymity of prepaid and postpaid mobile lines, the government is attempting to create a direct link between telecommunications data and legal identities, which may hinder criminal operations but also raises questions regarding user privacy and the potential for state monitoring.
