The Romanian Government proposed a change in the way pre-paid mobile telephony cards will be bought, which will no longer allow anonymity when using such cards.

Everyone who buys a pre-paid card will have to submit personal data, similar to mobile telephony subscriptions. The legislation is currently in discussion within the Government, and was requested by Romania's Supreme Defense Council CSAT.

Should the law be enforced, all pre-paid card holders will have to submit heir personal data, most likely name and personal identification number CNP, within six months from the enforcement of the law. In case they fail to do so, the mobile telephony provider will cancel their service on the pre-paid card.

This would allow the secret services to identify pre-paid card holders, but only after a judge decides it is necessary. The authorities have found that a large number of various crimes are committed with the help of pre-paid cards, as the identity of their holders is untraceable.

editor@romania-insider.com