Mobile subscribers who fail to confirm ownership of their phone numbers through the VNeID platform will face temporary service suspension from June 15, according to Nguyen Anh Cuong, Deputy Director General of the Telecommunications Authority under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

More than 25 million subscriptions remain unverified

Speaking at a Ministry of Science and Technology press briefing on June 1, Nguyen Anh Cuong said that approximately 1.6 million phone numbers have so far been identified by users as not belonging to them.

As a result, telecom operators have continued notifying individuals currently using mobile subscriptions to re-sign subscriber agreements in accordance with regulations and complete facial biometric authentication. One-way service restrictions are being imposed on subscriptions that fail to comply with Circular 08/2026/TT-BKCN.

At present, more than 25 million mobile subscriptions have not yet been confirmed by users on VNeID as belonging to them.

According to Cuong, the introduction of Circular 08 has enabled citizens to use the VNeID application to view all mobile subscriptions registered under their names, helping them identify active numbers under their control and detect any unauthorized registrations.

The initiative has empowered users to actively verify their phone numbers and remove subscriptions that do not belong to them through a simple and convenient process. It has also helped telecom operators review and process more than 1.6 million phone numbers identified by users as unauthorized.

However, Cuong noted that the biggest challenge remains the more than 25 million subscriptions that have yet to be confirmed, despite already appearing on the VNeID platform.

Under Circular 08, any subscription that remains unverified by June 15, 2026 will have outgoing services suspended, including phone calls and SMS messages to other subscribers.

"Data synchronization is still being actively coordinated between the Ministry of Public Security's C06 Department and telecom operators. As a result, some users may not yet see all of their subscription information fully displayed on VNeID. In addition, many people have simply not completed the confirmation process," Cuong said.

Biometric verification required when changing devices

Starting June 15, mobile subscribers who change their terminal devices will also be required to undergo facial biometric authentication again, similar to procedures already applied when changing devices linked to bank accounts, VNeID accounts or eSIM profiles.

The requirement is intended to ensure that phone numbers remain associated with their legitimate users.

Authorities say the measure will reduce risks for subscribers in cases where SIM cards are lost or misplaced but have not yet been blocked, preventing criminals from exploiting them for fraud or other illegal activities.

"Proactively verifying and managing mobile subscriptions not only helps reduce risks and protect users' rights, but also contributes to building a safer and more transparent telecommunications environment that supports Vietnam's national digital transformation agenda," Cuong said.

According to forecasts from telecom operators, millions of mobile subscriptions could be temporarily suspended after June 15 if users fail to complete ownership verification through VNeID.

Telecom providers including Viettel and VNPT are mobilizing personnel to operate mobile support teams that assist customers with the verification process.

Operators are also providing home-based support services for elderly citizens and vulnerable groups in an effort to accelerate compliance with the new regulations.

Thai Khang