Pure data SIM cards may be IoT cards, which carry risks.

With the three major telecom operators completely halting the sale of SIM cards through third-party internet channels, some advertisements for zero monthly fees and pay-as-you-go pure data cards have quietly gained traction on certain e-commerce platforms and social groups. On August 6, a reporters investigation revealed that these seemingly cost-effective pure data cards are actually IoT cards that are strictly forbidden from being sold to individuals, hidden behind multiple traps such as service disconnection, speed restrictions, and inflated data limits. However, the so-called pure data cards carry significant risks. IoT cards are specialized SIM cards sold in bulk by operators to enterprises, intended for smart terminal devices like shared bicycles and vending machines. According to relevant regulations, IoT cards are only to be purchased in bulk by corporate users and must not be improperly inserted into personal mobile phones; sellers are not allowed to sell them to individual users. Jiang Han, a senior researcher at the Pangu Institute, warns that consumers who purchase such cards face extremely high risks. These cards, often resold privately, are usually accompanied by serious false advertising and a lack of after-sales support, with backend speed restrictions and inflated data limits being common occurrences. If operators detect that the cards have been improperly inserted into phones, users may face service disconnection or even account and device bans at any time, leaving them with no recourse for complaints. He reminds users to avoid being lured in by the flashy advertisements of pure data cards and to always choose official channels from carriers to avoid significant losses while chasing small savings.