The Parliament plenary session approved a law allowing the identification of mobile phone equipment and prepaid service users to safeguard security and maintain public order, aiming to prevent criminal activities. The law passed with 25 votes in favor, 14 against, and one abstention. The bill was introduced by Marinos Mousiouttas, Chairman of the Transport, Communications, and Works Committee, on behalf of the DIPA party.

This proposal was first introduced in 2009 by former MPs Angelos Votsis and Georgios Prokopiou, but it was subsequently reintroduced by Mr. Mousiouttas. The plenary rejected a motion by AKEL to postpone the discussion.

Marinos Mousiouttas remarked that, after 16 years, the proposal has finally reached the plenary. He stated that the law is not a panacea but an important tool for law enforcement, which could potentially save a life. He mentioned that prepaid phone cards have caused reputational damage to the Republic of Cyprus due to their use in international illegal activities. He assured that the law underwent thorough review by both the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection and the Commissioner for Electronic Communications.

In his speech to the plenary, DIKO MP Christos Orphanides stated that the law could potentially save lives. Similarly, EDEK MP Elias Myrianthous supported the law, stating that it addresses significant security concerns, with provisions to protect personal data.

AKEL MP Aristos Damianou noted that it would be naive to think that government agencies lack the ability to monitor individuals. He expressed skepticism about the law's effectiveness, indicating it might serve as a cover for the inadequacy of law enforcement.

The Green Party MP Stavros Papadouris hoped the law would reveal problematic situations but acknowledged that crime is ahead of the police. He suggested that while the law might offer a solution, it may not fully address the issue.

DISY MP Dimitris Dimitriou noted that if the law had been passed in 2009, it might have been more effective, considering the current technological advancements. He also expressed concerns about police efficiency, given that the 50-month-old surveillance law has not been implemented yet. Despite these reservations, he recognized the importance of providing another tool to combat organized crime, human trafficking, and cyberattacks.