House OKs bill requiring SIM card registration

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MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved the measure requiring the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards on final reading Monday.

The “SIM Card Registration Act,” which aims to help authorities track criminals using mobile phones with pre-paid and post-paid SIM cards, received 118 votes in favor, zero against and no abstentions.

Under the measure, every public telecommunication entity (PTE) or direct seller shall require the end-user of a SIM card to present valid identification with a photo to ascertain identity.

The PTE or direct seller shall require the end-user to accomplish and sign a control-numbered registration form issued by the respected PTE of the SIM card purchased.

All PTEs shall maintain a SIM card Register of their subscribers and update the Department of Information and Technology Communications (DICT) every six months.

The measure likewise includes a confidentiality clause that prohibits disclosing any information of a subscriber, unless upon subpoena or lawful order from a competent court or written request from law enforcement agency concerning an ongoing investigation, that a particular number requested is used in the commission of a crime.

Failure to comply with the SIM card registration policy gives the PTEs the authority to deactivate their services to the pre-paid SIM card subscriber automatically.

A similar measure has been filed in the Senate.

Under Senate Bill No. 176 or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act, end-users of pre-paid SIM cards shall be required to present a valid ID and photo and sign a control-numbered registration form issued by the service provider of the purchased SIM card.

abc