Iraq Warns Korek Users Ahead Of SMS Verification Shutdown
At a Glance
- Iraq's media commission orders Korek Telecom users to secure accounts.
- SMS verification text services face complete deactivation following regulator shutdown.
- Users must link alternative phone numbers or authentication methods.
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) issued an urgent warning directing Korek Telecom subscribers to link alternative phone numbers or authentication methods to their digital accounts before verification text services are deactivated, following the regulator's decision to initiate an operational shutdown of the company earlier this month.
Key Statement and Focus Area
- The official regulatory circular said the CMC “renews its call to all users of Korek Telecom SIM cards, who rely on their numbers to authenticate or log into social media applications, platforms, and various digital services, to take the necessary precautionary measures to ensure continuous access to their digital accounts and services.”
- The CMC emphasized that these precautionary measures do not require users to cancel their current numbers. Instead, the directive aims to provide secure, alternative access to digital accounts.
According to the circular issued on Wednesday, for platforms supporting multiple phone lines, the CMC advises users to register an alternative number from a licensed Iraqi mobile carrier alongside their current Korek Telecom line.
This secondary number should be utilized immediately to receive all future verification codes, authentication messages, and account recovery options.
The document notes that for single-number platforms, users should update their account recovery settings to an authorized carrier like Asiacell or Zain Iraq, while still retaining their Korek lines whenever possible.
Additionally, the commission advises users to activate alternative authentication tools—such as email or dedicated authenticator applications—to systematically decrease dependence on network-based SMS verification for digital account access.
Users are urged to complete these updates immediately rather than waiting for message services to cease, avoiding potential account lockouts or recovery failures.
Subscribers must ensure the successful addition of the secondary number or the update of the authentication method across all important accounts and digital services, and verify that they can be actively used in verification and account recovery processes.
Furthermore, subscribers must verify that their secondary numbers or updated authentication methods have been successfully linked across all critical digital services and are fully functional for future verification and account recovery.
The document highlighted that these procedures “fall within the framework of the Commission's keenness” to protect users while ongoing regulatory actions proceed against Korek Telecom.
FYI
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission ordered an operational shutdown and asset seizure of Korek Telecom on August 9, due to unpaid financial obligations.
The regulatory body took this action after the carrier failed to settle over $1.5 billion in debts to the state treasury.
This enforcement follows long-standing legal disputes and contract expirations that previously led to network restrictions.
Korek Telecom rejected the regulatory shutdown, stating that the CMC's sudden decision violates existing agreements and undermines the stability of Iraq's telecommunications sector.
The company emphasized that it remains legally committed to protecting its network infrastructure and will pursue all judicial avenues to defend its business operations and subscriber rights.
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