[tiemand]

> First off, to get a SIM card as a foreigner in India, you need to have a copy of your passport and visa, a passport sized photo, and a local to act as a reference

Except the local reference part, you go through a similar procedure in Saudi Arabia... in fact.. you need to supply your Iqama (work permit) or passport number over the phone every time you need to topup your SIM. All this in the name of curbing "terrorism"

[dangoldin]

Ha - there's another post right now that's talking about how tough it is to open bank accounts in the UK due to the "terrorism" protection laws. It's usually the common folk who get screwed with the new processes.

If it gets too hard to do this people just come up with hacks around it. Similar to how a stranger at the hotel just vouched as a reference without knowing me very well.