As of Friday, March 31, the use of the unique password as a mechanism of security to validate the identity of users when contracting an additional mobile line, request the chip reset or run the change of ownership. This was ordered by the Supervisory Agency for Private Investment in Telecommunications (Osiptel).
What is the finality? In the words of the executive president of the organization, Rafael Muente Schwarz, the use of the unique password seeks to prevent fraud linked to the mobile service, such as impersonation and unsolicited hires.
What is the unique password?
According to the supervisory body, it is a unique key that, once obtained, it can be personalized and used to carry out mobile service procedures. In addition, it is an additional security mechanism to the biometric fingerprint verification.
In accordance with the provisions of Osiptel, since June 2022, the operating companies are obliged to deliver the unique password and report on its use.
One of the most frequent cybercrimes is identity theft, which has increased since the start of the pandemic. Photo: LR Data
Delivery must be made at the time of contracting the service or in any other in which the identity of the user is validated through the system of biometric verification in their offices or care centers, as well as in authorized points of sale for procedures in provinces and through other mechanisms approved by the regulator.
How is the unique password?
Each company determines the length and characteristics of the unique password. For example, users of Movistar may use six numeric characters; and those of Entel, from six to eight. For their part, those of Clear they can opt for an alphanumeric key of eight to 12 characters; and those of bitel, from six to 12 (includes symbols).
“Insufficient measure to stop impersonation”
However, “this implementation of the single password would not be enough to combat data theft, as long as the street sale of mobile chips is maintained,” said Carlos Zúñiga, president of the Eligir association. With the biometric equipment, street vendors usually obtain the user’s fingerprint and can take out up to 20 lines in their name, which can be used for extortion or withdrawal of money in banks, as has been corroborated in several complaints.
Zúñiga recalled that, previously, this password was made mandatory for the contracting and replacement of mobile chips, so as to minimize criminal activities in telecommunications. However, to date, these measures have not been effective and warned that the ambulatory sale of chips persists in the streets of Lima.
What are the chip outlets?
The association Choose has identified non-compliance with current regulations in areas such as the Brisas Market (in East Lima), the unicachi market (in North Lima), the vicinity of the Reniec (Central Lima) and The Falklands (Central Lima).
Measures against the ambulatory sale of chips have not worked, warns association Elect. Photo: Andean
Faced with this problem, it is urged that the Ministry of Interior articulate with Osiptel a strategy to act against companies that fail to comply with the prohibition of street sale of chips in order to avoid the risk to the security of the citizenry.
“It is urgent that the telecommunications companies themselves join in the fight against this fertile ground for crime, which is the informal sale of chips, suspending it permanently,” said Carlos Zúñiga.
Source: Larepublica
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