Taiwanese Government Considers Simplifying KYC for Domestic eSIM Purchases; Premier Cho Jung-tai Urges Caution
The Taiwanese government is considering simplifying Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures for domestic eSIM purchases. However, Premier Cho Jung-tai emphasizes the need for caution due to cybersecurity concerns, and the NCC is consulting with telecommunication providers and law enforcement agencies on the matter.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 18:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 18:32 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 05:12 (10h 40m after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, 12th) Concerns about cybersecurity risks may arise from the public purchasing eSIM cards for overseas travel. Chen Chung-shu, acting chairman of the National Communications Commission (NCC), stated today that due to regulations in the Anti-Fraud Act requiring real-name registration for telecommunications services, they are consulting with prosecutors, police, and telecom operators to appropriately simplify KYC procedures under certain risk considerations. Premier Cho Jung-tai, on the other hand, stressed the importance of careful handling under the premise of effective fraud prevention.
eSIM services have gradually become the top choice for people traveling abroad in recent years due to their advantages such as immediate use and no need to replace physical cards. However, research reports indicate that the IP addresses obtained by devices using mainstream travel eSIM operators' plans often originate from Chinese telecom operators, raising public concerns about cybersecurity.
The NCC pointed out on the 11th that Taiwan's three major telecom operators all offer prepaid internet-only services for overseas travel. The NCC will invite prosecutorial and police agencies, along with the three major telecom operators, to discuss the feasibility of simplified KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.
Kuomintang Legislator Hsieh Yi-feng questioned why people often choose more affordable overseas eSIMs for travel, which has recently led to concerns about personal data and privacy. She criticized the NCC for allegedly obstructing the development of domestic eSIM operators under the guise of fraud prevention.
Chen Chung-shu replied that Article 15 of the Anti-Fraud Act explicitly stipulates that applications for telecommunications services must undergo KYC, or real-name registration. The three domestic operators selling travel cards abroad also require real-name registration. Since the public prefers convenience and dislikes in-person办理, the NCC is consulting with prosecutors, police, and telecom operators to appropriately simplify procedures under certain conditions, while still considering risks.
Chen Chung-shu said, "The simplification part is under discussion; KYC can be reviewed for leniency and simplification, but it cannot be waived." Previously, during the "National Anti-Fraud Team" initiative, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) blocked all foreign IPs due to fraud groups using overseas online banking for money laundering, allowing domestic online banking only from domestic IPs, rendering overseas eSIMs unusable.
Minister of Digital Affairs Lin I-Ching stated that currently, citizens must visit a physical counter to purchase eSIMs from the three major telecom companies. They need to find a way for people to complete KYC without in-person visits, which presents some technical challenges. This matter will be studied with the NCC.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said that under the premise of effective fraud prevention, all units must handle matters cautiously when no safety precautions are in place. For existing consumers of the three major telecom operators, simplified methods should be used, but extreme caution is necessary. (Editor: Zhai Si-chia) 1150512
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eSIM services have gradually become the top choice for people traveling abroad in recent years due to their advantages such as immediate use and no need to replace physical cards. However, research reports indicate that the IP addresses obtained by devices using mainstream travel eSIM operators' plans often originate from Chinese telecom operators, raising public concerns about cybersecurity.
The NCC pointed out on the 11th that Taiwan's three major telecom operators all offer prepaid internet-only services for overseas travel. The NCC will invite prosecutorial and police agencies, along with the three major telecom operators, to discuss the feasibility of simplified KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.
Kuomintang Legislator Hsieh Yi-feng questioned why people often choose more affordable overseas eSIMs for travel, which has recently led to concerns about personal data and privacy. She criticized the NCC for allegedly obstructing the development of domestic eSIM operators under the guise of fraud prevention.
Chen Chung-shu replied that Article 15 of the Anti-Fraud Act explicitly stipulates that applications for telecommunications services must undergo KYC, or real-name registration. The three domestic operators selling travel cards abroad also require real-name registration. Since the public prefers convenience and dislikes in-person办理, the NCC is consulting with prosecutors, police, and telecom operators to appropriately simplify procedures under certain conditions, while still considering risks.
Chen Chung-shu said, "The simplification part is under discussion; KYC can be reviewed for leniency and simplification, but it cannot be waived." Previously, during the "National Anti-Fraud Team" initiative, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) blocked all foreign IPs due to fraud groups using overseas online banking for money laundering, allowing domestic online banking only from domestic IPs, rendering overseas eSIMs unusable.
Minister of Digital Affairs Lin I-Ching stated that currently, citizens must visit a physical counter to purchase eSIMs from the three major telecom companies. They need to find a way for people to complete KYC without in-person visits, which presents some technical challenges. This matter will be studied with the NCC.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said that under the premise of effective fraud prevention, all units must handle matters cautiously when no safety precautions are in place. For existing consumers of the three major telecom operators, simplified methods should be used, but extreme caution is necessary. (Editor: Zhai Si-chia) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts; your sponsorship is the power that protects press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.