CA Introduces New SMS Tool to Curb SIM Card Fraud

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has announced plans to roll out a centralised platform that will allow citizens to check all SIM cards registered using their National ID or passport details.

Through a recently advertised tender, the regulator is seeking to acquire an ID-to-SIM verification system that will help the public detect mobile numbers registered in their names without their approval.

The initiative is part of wider efforts to address identity theft, SIM swap fraud and misuse of personal data in the telecommunications sector.

Once operational, the service will require a user to send their identification number to a designated short code. The system will then scan databases of all licensed mobile network operators and mobile virtual network operators and send back a list of phone numbers linked to that ID.

“The Authority intends to acquire an ID-to-SIM card checker to be used by members of the public to check which numbers may have been registered using their National Identification documents or passports without their consent or knowledge,” CA stated.

Adding;

“The service will entail members of the public sending their identification Document number to a dedicated Short Code number, and the system searching all the Mobile Network Operators’ databases and returning the list of numbers associated with the sent identification Document number.”

The planned solution will be cloud-based and accessible via SMS to ensure nationwide reach, including for users without smartphones or internet access.

It will have the capacity to process up to 5,000 SMS requests per minute. According to the specifications, the system will include encryption and data masking features to protect sensitive information. A web-based dashboard will also enable administrators to monitor performance and generate reports.

The development comes at a time when regulators have intensified oversight of SIM registration. In previous compliance audits, operators such as Safaricom PLC, Airtel Kenya Ltd and Telkom Kenya Ltd have been instructed to deactivate lines that did not meet Know Your Customer requirements.

Kenya has over 65 million active mobile subscriptions, a figure that surpasses the country’s adult population. While multiple SIM ownership is common, authorities say the practice has also exposed weaknesses in identity verification processes.

By introducing a single verification platform that cuts across all networks, the regulator hopes to give Kenyans better control over their personal data and strengthen confidence in the country’s digital communications environment.