Face biometric verification required when switching SIM to a new mobile device under Circular 08/2026

Face verification is required when transferring a SIM to a new mobile device, otherwise outbound calls and SMS will be suspended starting from April 15. According to Article 8 of Circular 08/2026 guiding the verification of mobile subscriber information issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) on March 31, within a maximum of two hours from the time a subscriber changes the device compared to the device previously linked to the subscription for telecom services, telecom operators are obligated to implement measures to review, detect, and suspend outbound telecom services (voice calls, SMS) to other mobile numbers. Face verification is a mandatory requirement when changing a SIM to a new mobile device. (Photo: VNPT) At the same time, telecom operators are responsible for notifying subscribers to re-perform facial biometric verification. This regulation takes effect from June 15. This process can be performed in two ways. One is to use electronic verification services to verify the live facial image of the subscriber to ensure it matches data in the National Population Database, identity data, immigration data, or data stored on the citizen ID card issued by the police. The second method is verification through cross-checking, comparing the live facial image with biometric information legally stored in the operator’s subscriber information database. In this case, the telecom operator bears responsibility for the accuracy and matching of biometric data. The verification must comply with Vietnamese standards or international standards, with a false-rejection rate of less than 5% and a false-acceptance rate of less than 0.01% according to the FIDO standard. The system must also be capable of detecting spoofing attempts and fraud through images, videos, or 3D masks. Circular 08/2026 stipulates that within 30 days from the date outbound telecom services are suspended, the subscriber must complete the facial biometric verification. After this deadline, if the subscriber has not complied, the telecom operator must suspend two-way telecom services. Additionally, subscribers will be notified that their contracts will be terminated and telecom services will be ceased if not complied; contract termination and cessation of two-way telecom services will occur five days after the suspension if individuals or organizations do not comply. Besides the above, Circular 08/2026 also requires that all new mobile subscriptions perform facial biometric verification, cross-checking with the National Population Database and identity data from April 15.