In light of the widespread information regarding the control and potential blocking of mobile phone lines in Mexico, it is necessary to consult official legal texts to understand the true scope of these measures clearly, objectively, and without alarmism. The legal framework regulating this procedure is found in the Law on Telecommunications and Broadcasting, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on July 16, 2025. This legislation replaces previous regulations and establishes the current rules for both users and companies in the sector.
Below is an analysis of the two fundamental articles governing this provision, explaining complex legal terms in detail to facilitate comprehension.
1. User Identity Verification (Article 103)#
Article 103 of the law establishes that telephone companies have a legal obligation to activate and maintain active only those lines associated with fully identified users. In the legal text, these companies are referred to as * concesionarios* (concessionaires), which are private companies (such as Telcel, Movistar, or AT&T) that hold a government permit or concession to provide a public service.
To comply with this provision, the process varies depending on the nature of the user:
- Natural persons (individual citizens): They must present an official identification that includes the Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP, or Unique Population Registry Code).
- Legal entities (companies, corporations, or institutions): They must identify themselves using their Registro Federal de Contribuyentes (RFC, or Federal Taxpayer Registry).
- Foreign individuals: They can verify their identity by providing their full name, country of origin, and a valid passport number.
The law includes an important exception to protect the population: lines that have not completed this registration will not be completely cut off from communication, as free access to emergency and citizen service numbers is guaranteed at all times.
2. Data Safeguarding and Collaboration with Authorities (Article 183)#
Article 183 details the technical responsibilities that telephone companies must assume regarding national security and justice within the country’s territory. Under this article, telephone companies are obligated to maintain a strict registry of communications for a total period of 24 months.
This registry includes specific information such as the subscriber’s name, address, the duration, date, and time of calls, as well as the digital location of the geographical positioning of the mobile lines. The law stipulates that, during the first 12 months, the data must be stored in systems that allow for its immediate delivery to * procuración de justicia* (law enforcement and prosecutorial) bodies. This term refers to the authorities responsible for investigating crimes and prosecuting perpetrators, such as attorney generals’ offices and public prosecutors. For the following 12 months, the information will be kept in a standard electronic storage system.
Additionally, this article obligates companies to collaborate in the real-time geographical location of mobile devices. Conceptually, this means obtaining the approximate location of a phone at the exact moment a criminal investigation is being processed.
To protect citizens’ privacy, the law itself determines that it is mandatory to have a written warrant, legally grounded and justified by a competent federal judge, before authorities can request this information or intercept a private communication. It is strictly forbidden to use these safeguarded data for purposes other than those provided by law, and any unauthorized access or manipulation will be penalized by the corresponding authorities.
Official State Source: You can consult, verify, and download the full text of the decree directly from the Chamber of Deputies portal via the official file LMTR.pdf.