[ls15]

Most countries require SIM card registration nowadays.

https://www.phonetravelwiz.com/phone-travel-options/sim-card...

> Of the 245 countries/territories with territory-bound mobile operators, 185 countries have SIM card registration laws. 13 will collect biometrics (fingerprints, but some will take a face scan too). 51 countries have no registration requirements.

Which by itself is questionable.

[happymellon]

A lot of people talk down on the UK invading privacy, but interestingly we don't require it!

[imiric]

Hmm I didn't think it would be that many. I'm sure there might be workarounds, like ordering online or buying from vending machines at airports, etc., but yeah, it's certainly not as convenient as before.

[chopin]

The problem isn't buying the SIM card, the problem is activating it.