Mexico's Senate Approves Bill For Mobile Phone Database

MEXICO CITY -(Dow Jones)- Mexican senators voted overwhelmingly Thursday in favor of a bill calling for the creation of a national database of mobile phone users, proposed as a way to combat crime committed using cell phones.

The bill, which still needs to go through the lower house of Congress, was submitted by members of the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, but had all party support in the Senate.

If it becomes law, it will require wireless operators to create a register of all post-paid and prepaid mobile phone users with personal information, including addresses and fingerprints. It will also require operators to keep detailed records of voice and data communications for one year.

The bill comes as the government tackles a wave of violent crime, including widespread kidnappings for ransom in which criminal gangs make their demands from mobile phones which are difficult, if not impossible, to trace.

Mexico had 73 million mobile phone users at the end of June, according to telecommunications regulator Cofetel.

-By Anthony Harrup, Dow Jones Newswires; (5255) 5001 5727, anthony.harrup@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 26th September 2008