PNG unveils digital ID reform to combat crime and strengthen online safety

Papua New Guinea is preparing to roll out one of the most comprehensive mobile identity reforms in the Pacific, with the Government announcing a new SIM Card Registration Regulation to take effect in 2026.

The reform will link every active SIM card in the country to the national SevisPass Digital ID, a move the Government says is essential to reducing fraud, cybercrime and unverified mobile activity.

The announcement was made by Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., following NEC Decision No. 183/2025 and outcomes from the Digital Transformation Summit 2025.

The new regulation is being drafted by NICTA to align with the National Digital Identity Policy 2025, and will formally mandate the use of SevisPass, SevisWallet and the SevisDEx digital identity exchange across the telecommunications sector.

Under the proposed changes, all adults aged 18 and above will be required to obtain a SevisPass and link their SIMs through the SevisWallet App. No new SIM card will be activated without digital ID-based verification.

For young people, the Government will introduce SevisPass-Minor for youths aged 13 to 17, while children under 12 will only use Dependent SIMs registered under a parent or guardian.

A nationwide grace period from 1 January to 30 June 2026 will allow existing SIM card users to complete digital verification. Any SIM not linked to a valid SevisPass arrangement after the deadline will be deactivated.

A new Digital ID Implementation Authority will oversee the national identity system and provide eKYC and Customer Due Diligence services to operators. While operators may be charged regulated fees, the Minister confirmed that citizens will not pay for SevisPass registration or SIM linking.

The regulation will also introduce strengthened privacy and cyber-security protections. Telcos will no longer store biometric data; instead, encrypted SevisPass tokens will be used.

The reform aims to clean up PNG’s SIM ecosystem, curb criminal misuse of mobile numbers, strengthen AML/CTF compliance, expand access to digital services, and ensure that every mobile user in the country is tied to a trusted, sovereign PNG Digital ID.