First Legal Challenge Filed Against Mexico’s Mandatory Cellphone Registration

Aguascalientes, Mexico — With less than a month left before the deadline to register mobile phone lines nationwide, the first legal challenge against the measure has been filed. An unidentified citizen in Aguascalientes has sought an injunction to prevent two of his phone numbers from being compulsorily linked to his personal identity.

According to reports from Expansión, the lawsuit was filed on February 10 and was assigned the following day to the First District Court in Aguascalientes. The case represents one of the first judicial challenges to the new registration system promoted by authorities.

The plaintiff seeks to prevent his phone lines from being subject to rules requiring personal and biometric data to maintain service. Although his identity remains protected, the arguments in the amparo reflect concerns shared by various sectors since the registry took effect on January 9.

Amparo Highlights Data Protection Concerns

Key concerns in the amparo include personal data protection, user privacy, and the potential impact on access to telecommunications services. The citizen argues that the new rules could violate fundamental rights related to the handling of personal information.

According to documents reviewed by Expansión, the challenge states that guidelines issued by the Federal Telecommunications Commission condition access to mobile services and do not offer sufficient guarantees for the protection of constitutional rights.

The plaintiff argues that before the registry was implemented, he could fully exercise rights related to his private life, informational self-determination, and data protection. Now, he says, he is forced to provide sensitive information to keep his phone lines active.

Data security concerns have been heightened by recent incidents. During the registry’s first days, a massive data leak involving Telcel users was reported, raising doubts about the ability of authorities and companies to safeguard large databases.

In his amparo, the citizen asserts there is a real risk that information provided during registration will not be adequately protected. He asks the judiciary to review the constitutionality of the rules underpinning the new mandatory scheme.

More Citizens Could Seek Injunctions

Experts say that while a favorable ruling would only benefit the person who filed the amparo, the case could open the door to similar lawsuits across the country.

Jorge Bravo, president of the Mexican Association for the Right to Information, noted that there is still uncertainty about the legal scope of the regulator’s guidelines.

Meanwhile, the registration process continues at a slower pace than expected. Official figures indicate that as of June 1, about 52.3 million mobile lines had been linked, representing only 32.5% of the approximately 160 million numbers in Mexico. Analysts have warned that if this trend continues, millions of users could face economic and connectivity disruptions when the deadline expires.