End of anonymity for pay as you go mobile users in Cyprus

A new law has been proposed to the parliament and will be voted within the month which will enforce the collection of identification data from users of non-contract pay as you go mobile services by the operators in Cyprus. Under the new regulation operators are required to collect the name and identification number of subscribers. If the subscriber submits false information he may face up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 50000 euro. Immediately after the new law comes into effect, mobile operators will be required to inform all their existing customers for the new rules within 6 months, and within a year they should submit their identification information or be liable for prosecution.