Security News > 2023 > November > UK government rings the death knell for SIM farms

The UK government plans to introduce new legislation to ban SIM farms, which it views as a widely abused means for carrying out cyber fraud.

SIM farms are defined as devices that can hold four or more SIM cards while having the ability to make phone calls and send texts.

The long-running debate over the legality of SIM farms meant one man spent nearly eight years fighting to have his name cleared after being charged with illegally operating an unlicensed SIM farm.

"In particular, our definition will capture devices that contain or incorporate five or more physical SIM cards for the purpose of making calls and/or sending SMS texts. However, we will exempt any data-only devices that are not capable of making calls or sending texts. We will ensure that a ban includes a defense for legitimate uses that will mean that legitimate businesses possessing or supplying SIM farms are not adversely affected, such as the broadcast and transport industries. It will also not apply to the Crown."

Some suggested that a ban on physical SIM farms would lead operators to establish eSIM farms instead, though the government felt there was insufficient evidence to include a provision for eSIM farms in the proposed ban.

"Our view is that a criminal offense would be more proportionate in line with the criminal nature of the activity that SIM farms can facilitate, and that licensing would actually be more burdensome for businesses than an exemption for legitimate uses," the government said in response.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/11/29/uk_sim_farm_ban/