In a world where mobile numbers are increasingly tied to personal privacy, financial security, and social networks, the practice of mobile carriers secondary number release has sparked a heated debate. Critics argue that this process, where old phone numbers are recycled and sold to new users, amounts to selling out the privacy and security of former users. However, others contend that it is a necessary measure to efficiently utilize limited number resources.
The Issue of Limited Number Resources
According to recent reports, the mobile subscriber base of the three major Chinese carriers has reached a staggering 1.74 billion users. With number resources being finite, the phenomenon of users purchasing previously used numbers has become increasingly common. This has raised concerns about the risks associated with privacy leaks and potential financial losses.
The Dangers of Secondary Number Release
The dangers associated with secondary number release were highlighted by a video posted on social media by police officer Xu Guangyu from the Tongling City Public Security Bureau in Anhui Province. He warned that simply canceling a mobile number could lead to the exposure of personal information and financial risks. New users who receive recycled numbers may face issues such as harassment calls and being unable to register for certain apps due to the numbers being previously associated with other accounts.
One such case involved Peipei (a pseudonym), who purchased a secondary number from China Telecom last October. When she attempted to log into her Taobao account, she discovered that the number was already linked to the previous owner’s account. Despite providing various proof materials, she was unable to get the account unlinked, and the issue remains unresolved.
Another victim,叶子 (a pseudonym), faced a similar situation with her new phone number, which turned out to be a recycled one. She has been harassed by debt collectors due to the previous owner’s outstanding loans and credit card debts.
Legal Cases and Industry Perspectives
Legal cases have also emerged, highlighting the financial risks. For instance, the Luoyang Intermediate People’s Court in Henan Province reported a case where a victim lost over 4,700 yuan due to the new owner of a recycled number using a previously linked meal-ordering platform account.
Despite these concerns, industry experts argue that the risks are often exaggerated. TMT industry analyst Fu Liang believes that with the recent enhancements in payment security, such as mandatory real-name verification, the likelihood of financial loss is relatively low.
Why Carriers Need to Recycle Numbers
According to industry regulations, carriers can terminate services and deactivate numbers if users fail to pay their bills within 60 days. The number is then frozen for at least 90 days before being reactivated and released into the market. This practice is not unique to China but is a global standard due to the finite nature of number resources.
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has reported that the mobile subscriber base has reached 1.74 billion, and with limited number resources, carriers are compelled to recycle numbers to meet the growing demand.
Mitigating the Risks
To mitigate the risks associated with secondary number release, major carriers like China Mobile have developed services to batch-unlink numbers from certain applications before they are reactivated. However, this service covers only a limited number of apps, and carriers cannot unilaterally unlink numbers from all applications.
Industry analyst Yang Guang suggests that users should minimize the use of mobile numbers for app registration and avoid storing sensitive information. He also recommends that app developers enhance security measures, such as implementing more robust login verification processes.
Steps to Take When Canceling a Mobile Number
Users are advised to take several steps when canceling a mobile number to protect their privacy and financial security. These include backing up contact lists, updating bank account details, unlinking financial apps, changing social media account settings, updating membership cards, and properly disposing of old SIM cards.
Conclusion
The debate over secondary number release underscores the need for a balanced approach that addresses both the limited availability of number resources and the privacy and security concerns of users. While carriers argue that recycling numbers is a necessary practice, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect the interests of both old and new users. Regulatory bodies may need to step in to establish clearer guidelines and responsibilities for all parties involved.
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