Summary:
- A claim is going viral of Facebook that the Liberia Telecommunications Authority will block the SIM cards of individuals who do not register or update their SIM cards using the National Identification Card within six months.
- We have fact-checked this claim by contacting the LTA
- We found claim to be correct.
On October 8, multiple posts circulated on social media claiming that the LTA would block the SIM cards of individuals who do not use the National Identification Card to update their SIM cards.
The claim can be found here, here, here, and here. One popular social media blog, Sine Liberia shared the claim that attracted over 150 comments and 160 reactions.
These posts surfaced online following a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the LTA and the National Identification Registry. A part of the memorandum states that the two entities will work together to ensure citizens and residents of Liberia register their SIM cards with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) using their unique NIR-issued ID.
Claim
Shine Liberia posted: “Anyone who refuses to update their SIM card using National Identification ID and LTA new Regulations six months from now will be blocked with immediate effect- LTA Boss.”
Rating Justification
To verify this claim, we searched the Facebook page of LTA and found a post on October 8, 2024, announcing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Identification Registry (NIR)
According to the post, all SIM card owners must register their cards using their unique NIR-issued ID card. It specified that failure to register within six months would result in deactivation of unregistered numbers.
It states: “Under the LTA regulation, all SIM card owners must register their SIM cards with their Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) using their unique NIR-issued ID card; failure to do so within the next six months will result in the deactivation of unregistered numbers.”
We also checked the NIR’s Facebook page and found a media alert regarding the MOU about SIM cards and RUIM Registration.
To further authenticate the claim, we then contacted via WhatsApp the Director for Public Affairs at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Madam Jarsea Burphy, who provided additional information.
She explained that the NIR is providing a three-month window for individuals to acquire their ID free of charge, followed by another three months for under one dollar.
After this period, unregistered SIM cards will indeed be blocked, she texted.
Madam Burphy states: “The NIR is giving everyone a 3-month window to freely acquire their NIR I.D. After which, a 3 3-month period will ensue with a cost of under a dollar. Finally, after that period if you have not acquired and registered your SIM CARD WITH your NIR I.D. your number will indeed be blocked”.
Conclusion
Based on the research conducted, we therefore conclude that the viral claim that the LTA will block the SIM cards of individuals who do not use their National Identification Card to register their SIM card is correct.
