It's about "you, me, him" in Fei "! Philippines officially signs "SIM card registration act"! Foreigners need to provide passports and other information for real-name registration!

The novice legislator submitted House Bill 14 (HB) or SIM card registration bill early in the 19th Congress.

The measure's main selling point is that it tackles a text message scam that has gotten out of control since last year.

"So hopefully this will curb the increase and frequency of all fraudulent information we receive. This will be a welcome addition to the security of our Kababaya personal information. I hope that with the passage of this law, our information security can be better protected."

Under the measure, all new SIM cards sold after the enactment of the law will be in deactivated mode. If you want to use the new SIM card normally, you need to activate it first. Users need to register their SIM card with the relevant public telecommunications entity (PTE) -telecommunications company and its representative office. Registration will take place at the point of sale, which means that no SIM card will be sold to individuals who refuse to provide personal information.

All existing post-paid and pre-paid SIM card users must register within 180 days or about six months after the law takes effect to avoid being deactivated. The information and communication technology department can extend the registration period for no more than 120 days (about four months).

All SIM cards that are not registered within the specified time limit will be automatically deactivated. It can only be reactivated after registration according to law.

Note SIM card instructions:

A valid identity card with photographs issued by the Government is required to verify identity. The foreigner must show his or her passport and provide a Philippine address.

Minors can also register SIM cards, but they must be in the name of their parents or guardians.

Filipino tourists who want to obtain a SIM card need to show their passport, proof of address in the Philippines and return ticket to their home country or any other ticket showing the date and time when they left the Philippines. The SIM card for foreign tourists is valid for 30 days.

PTE, its agents or employees will be fined P500,000 to P 4 million if they violate the confidentiality regulations. Those who fail or refuse to register a SIM card without justifiable reasons will be fined P100,000 to P 1 million.

Telecom Company Support

Spokesmen for Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc., two of the country's largest telecommunications companies, said their companies also support SIM card registration.

"We believe that, once signed into law, SIM registration will put us one step ahead of fraudsters and help achieve our common goal of eliminating scams and spam," Globe Group general counsel Froilan Castelo said in a recent statement." The Ayala-led company said it was ready to work with the government on implementing rules and regulations for the proposed law.

Roy Ibay, Smart's vice president and head of regulatory affairs, said earlier that his company was studying key features of the bills approved by the House and Senate and was ready to share his company's "knowledge of global best practices".

Rodolfo Santiago, chief technology officer of DITO Telecommunity, raised the need to use national identity cards and passports to verify users' identities under the proposed law.

"Doing so will reduce the burden that telecommunications companies need to establish another database to store biometric data, which will be time-consuming and resource-intensive."

SMS fraud

John Paolo, who uses both pre-paid and post-paid SIM cards, Bencito relieved that their sales will now be regulated in the country and optimistic that this will stop SMS scams. On October 8 alone, he received at least four spam messages.

He believes there will be adequate protections to prevent possible personal data breaches.

"SIM card registration is not a new idea either. It is being used in Malaysia, Singapore and other countries."

"Only in the Philippines, people can easily replace and purchase SIM cards from the local' sari-sari 'store."

Kim Cantillas, general secretary of the Computer Professionals Alliance (CPU), an organization of information and technology professionals and advocates, said her team opposes mandatory SIM card registration.

"Other countries have proved that this is not an effective means to stop or minimize the crimes they aim to solve."

She said: "Given the poor enforcement of the Data Privacy Act (DPA) and a culture that is not yet aware of our privacy rights, this is an additional risk for people."

Cantillas urged the government to ensure that the DPA is strictly enforced and that the law is kept in step with the digital technology trend.

"It is disappointing that the Marcos government did not address the different crises in our country, but chose to prioritize an ineffective bill, which would expose us to more risks."

Duterte veto

In April this year, then President Rodrigo Duterte (Rodrigo Duterte) vetoed the first approved SIM card registration bill because it also included mandatory registration of social media accounts.

Duterte's communications minister, Martin Andanar, said the former president was concerned that the registration of social media users could lead to "dangerous state intrusion and surveillance, threatening many constitutionally protected rights".

Former Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drillon, who pushed for the provision, said constitutional rights were protected. He said the provision was designed to prevent "trolls", scammers and "cyber bullies" from hiding behind pseudonyms.