Starting today, July 6, identity verification procedures for activating mobile phones or switching telecommunications carriers will be strengthened.

During the process of signing up for a new service or transferring a phone number, users must now undergo additional identity verification by choosing one of three methods: facial recognition, a mobile ID, or an abstract of resident registration, in addition to the existing ID card verification.

The government stated that it expects these measures to help prevent identity theft crimes, explaining that the original images of the captured faces will not be stored and will be destroyed immediately after the verification process is complete.