Petition · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Ban anonymous SIM cards and require ID verification for all SIM sales in the UK
Open for signatures
37 signatures
What the petition asks
Introduce legislation requiring mobile network providers and retailers to verify valid identification before selling or activating any SIM card, including prepaid SIM cards.
SIM cards can currently be purchased from some shops without providing identification. This may allow anonymous phone numbers to be used for scam calls, fraud, harassment, and other criminal activities.
Requiring ID verification when purchasing or activating a SIM card could help improve accountability, support law enforcement investigations, and help reduce misuse of mobile networks.
Requiring ID verification when purchasing or activating a SIM card could help improve accountability, support law enforcement investigations, and help reduce misuse of mobile networks.
Timeline
| 10 Apr 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
37
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Opened
10 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.