Federal Courts in Quintana Roo Refuse to Hear Cellphone Registration Challenges

Cancún, Quintana Roo — With less than 15 days until unregistered cellphones face suspension, federal courts in Quintana Roo have declared themselves incompetent to hear amparo lawsuits challenging the federal government’s national cellphone registration decree.

In one case, the Fifth District Court in Cancún dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Quintana Roo resident, ruling that the state’s federal judiciary lacks specialization in telecommunications matters, according to case file 772/2026.

The plaintiff sought to nullify the decree published December 9 in the Official Gazette of the Federation, which establishes guidelines for registering cellphones and collecting users’ biometric data.

“The undersigned is incompetent, by subject matter, to hear and resolve this amparo trial … from a comprehensive reading of the complaint, it is clear that the plaintiff challenges the agreement issued by the plenary of the Federal Telecommunications Commission, published on December 9, 2025, containing the guidelines for identifying mobile phone lines, as well as its implementation through the Digital Transformation Agency and the concessionaire company,” reads the court order issued Wednesday by the Fifth District Court in Cancún.

Only specialized telecommunications courts in Mexico City are authorized to hear such cases. Those courts have seen a surge in filings in recent days, with some federal tribunals already issuing suspensions in favor of citizens.

Complainants argue the decree violates their right to personal data protection and other privacy guarantees.

“The case file is to be sent to the common correspondence office of the District Courts in Administrative Matters specialized in economic competition, broadcasting, and telecommunications,” the Fifth District Court concluded.

By declaring themselves incompetent, these courts are further delaying legal proceedings for citizens seeking to block the decree’s effects.

The federal government has set up registration centers at phone company service points, where users can present official identification. Lines not registered by June 30 will be suspended, according to the guidelines.

In Quintana Roo, an estimated 80% of the population owns a cellphone that must be registered before the month’s end.