New Phone Registration System Gives Junta More Powers to Track Users

Myanmar’s military regime is rolling out a nationwide mobile‑device registration system in a bid to boost surveillance and restrict information flow.

The regime launched a so-called central equipment identity register (CEIR) in the first week of March, requiring every mobile device’s unique IMEI number—rather than just the SIM card—to be registered before it can connect to a network.

Anyone failing to register their phone by the end of the month faces a 30-day usage limit and eventual blocking. According to public announcements in junta media, all phones currently in use will automatically be added to a whitelist if they run on a Myanmar SIM—MPT, ATOM, Ooredoo/U9 or Mytel—before March 31. After the deadline, any unregistered device will be treated as a new handset and is subject to taxes and penalties.