The signing of the Subscribers Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act Monday sets the tone for the administration’s national policy to ensure that technology should only be used to improve people’s lives, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday.
“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,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the SIM Card Registration Act in Malacañang.
The President expects the people to welcome the newly signed legislation, especially amid reports of various crimes using mobile phones, including the proliferation of text scams and spam.
The act’s signing is long overdue, he said, 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.
Validating identities
Under the SIM Card Registration Act, public telecommunication entities (PTEs) or direct sellers will require SIM card end users to present a valid identification document to validate their identities during SIM card purchases.
PTEs will also be required to maintain subscribers SIM Card Register, containing the information required under the law.
They are also mandated to submit a verified list of their authorized dealers and agents nationwide to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and also carry out quarterly updates each year.
To cover all SIM card users, PTEs are mandated to ensure the registration of existing pre-paid SIM card phone subscribers within a prescribed period.
Failure to comply will result in the deactivation of services.
Individuals registering using false or fictitious information, fictitious identities, and fraudulent documents or identifications will be penalized.
Data privacy, confidentiality
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.
PTEs will only be required to disclose subscribers’ information only after a subpoena or court order is issued upon finding probable cause.
They can likewise be compelled to do so upon written request from a law enforcement agency in relation to an ongoing investigation.
Breach of confidentiality due to negligence, registered SIM card spoofing, sale of stolen SIM cards, and non-compliance to government requirements following SIM card sale or transfer are punishable under the law.
The President commended the legislators for coming up with the law, the first legislative measure that successfully passed the approval of the bicameral panel of both houses in the 19th Congress.
Also in attendance were Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, members of the Cabinet, and other members of the Senate and House of Representatives. (PND)
