The deadline for registering subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in Namibia has been extended.

The deadline, which was set for December 31st last year, has been pushed back to March 31st this year.

The government reported that as of the end of 2023, 62.5 percent of active SIM card users had registered. This translates to 1.49 million registered people out of a total population of 2.38 million.

The government declared in December that the deadline would not be extended.

The minister of information and communications technology, Peya Mushelenga, stated that the extension gives more time for compliance and assures a smooth transition.

In turn, mobile operators have pushed their consumers to take advantage of the government's registration chance.

MTC Namibia, the country's largest telecom operator, said it was increasing its outreach operations in informal settlements, peri-urban areas, and rural communities as part of its registration plans.

It encouraged smartphone users to take advantage of the online registration process it provides.

The registration process has caused friction between the government and various civil society organisations, particularly the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

According to IPPR, mandatory SIM card registration, data retention, and biometric data collection will harm Namibia's human rights and democracy.

The IPPR predicts that "perpetual mass surveillance" would become the norm in the country after mandatory SIM card registration and data retention are fully implemented under the Communications Act of 2009.

The ministry of ICT's executive director, Audrin Mathe, denounced this as misleading and incorrect.

"Privacy does not come to an end," he assured.

The SIM card registration process, which has been running since 2022, is intended to combat criminality using telecoms equipment.