China to identify all cellphone users

Isnt something similar on the cards here?
 
Interesting that SA is thinking along the same lines as communist red China. Are they also a nation of brainless sheep with no concept of individual freedom?
 
I don't mind gov knowing my number. They already do anyway. I mind them listening in without me knowing. :)
 
bwana v.6 said:
Isnt something similar on the cards here?
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Wasn't it always like this in SA anyway? I remember signing and filling in forms like mad when I got my prepaid phone and the same for my contract phone...
 
I can certainly support this. Cellular phones have become just too easy a bomb detonation device, spam device, harassment device, etc, to not be tied to a true person.
 
AFAIK, the equivilent of this is already in force in SA. Called something like the Electronic Communications Act or I dunno, something like that.

Stores are not allowed to sell prepaid sim cards without ID of the buyer.
 
afaik its not fully implemented in sa yet but from next year we all will have to take our phones to the local cop shop and register ur sim with ur id.
 
DigitalSoldier said:
afaik its not fully implemented in sa yet but from next year we all will have to take our phones to the local cop shop and register ur sim with ur id.
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There's a slim to none chance of that happening as far as I'm concerned. What next - locking up the phone when its not being used in a SABS approved and police inspected cellphone safe? A licensing process including a competency test to make sure you can initiate and receive calls in the approved manner? Is there perhaps going to be a amnesty period for old handsets handed down?

Fine ask for ID for new pay as you go sim cards but lets not go overboard. If telkom actually did their job and installed affordable landlines to people who wanted them we wouldnt have to rely upon overprices cellphone connectivity in the first place.
 
DigitalSoldier said:
bwana i saw it in the newspaper think it was last week just reporting what i read :p
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I've no doubt - I was just commenting on the absurdity of the situation thats all. No offense intended.
 
none taken i agree its kinda absurd but if it happens its gonne waste a lot of our time all the ppl with cellphones going to their nearest cop shop waiting in lines and then with our country the cops at the station wont be able to help
 
For the SA version see this thread:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=31414

There is a direct link to crbuys' excellent guide in post number 4 - thanks to crbuys.

Looks like you have to provide certified copy of your ID book when buying a sim card and you will have to report lost/damaged/stolen sim cards to the cops.
:eek:
 
Despite my views on the 1984 syndrome, I do agree with this move. And, in any case, your landline has been tied to the "owner" for all eternity - why not the same with the cell phone.

As TheRodent already pointed out, cell phones can be used for many crimes. The use of cell phones in fraud is also rife.

As a side note, credit bureaus already hold records of payphone numbers to prevent people fraudently supplying these as work contact numbers etc.
 
ic I agree with the static IP thing you suggested. but regarding the ID to buy a SIM card 1) that would suck since you'd need to have an ID to buy on, a problem if you're under sixteen. 2) I bought a sim card two weeks ago for a mate and they never asked me for details what so ever
 
ic said:
I reckon telephone numbers should be abolished and replaced with static IP addresses that are tied to an entity from birth and persist beyond the grave - no seriously that's what I think should be done - just dial up a person's IP address(es) instead of a telephone number - or put it in your phone's phonebook/speedial...

And while Nokia et al are about it, they should buildin some biometrics to verify the identity of the person making a call - maybe an iris scanner, and as an alternative for those that have lost both eyes in a freakish accident or cornea-hijacking or something - they could enhance the voice activated dialing [that's been around for years] with proper voice recognition...
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and it should be branded into your forehead, and implanted under the skin of your left forearm
 
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