Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) said on Saturday that it fully supported the registration of all subscriber identity module (SIM) cards to combat text scams and other crimes committed with cell phones. According to the NPC, the proposed SIM Registration Act — a consolidated version of House Bill No. 14 and Senate Bill No. 1310 — would "prevent the proliferation of various and evolving electronic communication-aided criminal activities" committed in anonymity. All new SIM cards sold after the law goes into effect will be in the deactivated mode. To activate them, users must register their SIM cards with the concerned public telecommunications entity (PTE) — the telcos and their representatives. Registration will take place at the point of sale, which means that no SIM card will be sold to anyone who refuses to provide personal information. To avoid deactivation, all existing postpaid and prepaid SIM users must register within 180 days, or approximately six months, of the law's implementation. The Department of Information and Communications Technology has the authority to extend the registration period to 120 days (about four months). All SIM cards that are not registered within the specified time frame will be deactivated. These could only be reactivated after registration. A valid government-issued identification card with a photograph will be required to verify the person's identity. A foreigner must show their passport and provide a Philippine address. A minor can use a SIM card, but it must be registered in the name of a parent or guardian. Tourists visiting the Philippines who wish to obtain a SIM card must present their passports, proof of residence in the Philippines, and a return ticket to their home country or any other ticket displaying the date and time of their departure from the Philippines. After 30 days, their SIM cards will be deactivated. For breach of confidentiality, PTEs, their agents, or employees will face fines ranging from P500,000 to P4 million. Those who fail or refuse to register a SIM card without a valid reason face a P100,000 to P1 million fine. BKM/ Expat Media
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