Finally, SIM Card law to fight text scams

PRESIDENT BONGBONG Marcos has signed into law the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act in an effort to intensify government initiatives against scams and crimes committed through text and online messages.

The new law, which promotes accountability in the use of SIM cards and track perpetrators of crimes committed through mobile phones, will now require SIM card users to present a valid identification document with photo to all public telecommunications entities or direct sellers for the purpose of registration. 

Information that will be acquired through the said registration will be treated as confidential unless users authorize access. 

Under the law, telecommunications firms are directed to disclose the full name and address of the SIM card users upon a duly issued subpoena or court order. Apart from this, law enforcement agencies conducting probes on crimes committed through mobile phones may submit a written report to the said firms for access to information of the SIM card registration. 

The SIM Card Registration Act is the consolidation of bills from the House of Representatives (House Bill No. 14) and the Senate (Senate Bill No. 1310). 

Marcos said the signing of the SIM Card Registration Act sets the tone for the administration’s national policy to ensure that technology should only be used to improve people’s lives. “Moving forward, it is my hope that we will be able to enact even more measures to help bring forth the security, progress, and prosperity that we aspire for our Filipino brothers and sisters and for the entire nation,” he said.

He said the signing is long overdue which will now provide the authorities an effective means of regulating the issuance of SIM cards to curb the spread of spam text messages and scams. It will soon provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to resolve crimes perpetrated with the use of these SIM Cards, as well as provide a strong deterrence against the commission of wrongdoing.

The legislation also has provisions making it paramount to protect the confidentiality and data privacy rights of subscribers, which will take effect upon SIM card purchases.

The bill was first introduced during President Rodrigo Duterte’s term following the emergence of so-called pro-Duterte “troll farms” on social media, especially even before the 2016 presidential election. 

But Duterte rejected the bill over concerns that this will give rise to a situation of dangerous state intrusion and surveillance. He even vetoed the proposed law over the inclusion of social media registration. (Mindanao Examiner)