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30 Million Mexicans Could Lose Cell Phone Service

by Terrence O'Brien on April 9, 2010 at 02:05 PM

Last year, Mexico took the drastic, and Big-Brother-ish, step of requiring all citizens to register their mobile phone numbers and identities with the government. The move was aimed at preventing the country's organized crime syndicates, kidnappers, and drug traffickers from using cell phones in extortion and ransom negotiation. But, with the deadline for registration coming this weekend, over 30 million people still have not registered with the government and could have their service disconnected.

According to Reuters, the country's largest mobile phone provider, America Movil, stands to lose about $10 million a day if the unregistered lines are disconnected. Not surprisingly, the company has urged the senate to extend the deadline for registration by one year, but so far the legislature has resisted that push. Negotiations are still ongoing, but it appears that this weekend tens of millions of Mexican citizens will lose cell phone service. [From: Reuters]

Tags: america movil, AmericaMovil, cellphone, crime, government, mexico, privacy, security, top

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