On 5 March 2026, the Myanmar military junta announced the launch of a mandatory International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration process via its newly established Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system in Naypyidaw. The directive mandates that mobile phones can only connect to domestic telecommunications networks if their IMEI numbers are registered with the CEIR. The regime set a strict deadline, requiring users to activate and use SIM cards on these registered devices by 31 March 2026. Furthermore, companies importing mobile equipment are automatically entered into the CEIR system upon paying import taxes.
Cybersecurity experts report that the CEIR system was developed with technical assistance from a Russian firm, specifically engineered to monitor personal data and track individuals suspected of supporting the pro-democracy resistance. In response, the Myanmar Internet Project (MIP) issued an urgent security warning on 7 March 2026. The MIP emphasized that this IMEI registration, when combined with prior mandates requiring SIM card registration via national ID numbers, creates a perilous “tri-linkage” (Device + SIM + Civil Identity). This allows the junta to precisely identify device users, intercept communications, and track their exact physical locations in real-time.