Group seeks dialogue with gov’t to resolve concerns on SIM Card Registration Law
MANILA, Philippines — A consumer group has asked the government for a dialogue so that concerns on the recently-signed SIM Card Registration Law would be addressed.
In a statement on Friday, CitizenWatch Philippines said that Republic Act No. 11934 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last October 10 provides an opportunity to protect people from fraudulent activities like phishing sent through text messages and scam calls.
READ: Bongbong Marcos signs SIM Card Registration Act
Group co-convener Tim Abejo said that the implementation of the law has to be done right, especially amid concerns that the law might be used to breach the privacy of people.
“There is nothing that cannot be resolved through dialogue and rational discussion,” Abejo, a lawyer, said.
“We finally have this opportunity to set in motion a law that protects ordinary citizens from fraudsters, thieves, and other sinister elements pillaging our digital space. We have to do this right,” he added.
While lawmakers lauded Marcos for signing the bill less than two weeks after the proposed bill was ratified by Congress, there have been concerns, particularly from progressive groups like Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
According to Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, they understand the government’s concern about phishing scams, but it is dangerous to leave the said law in the hands of law enforcement groups who supposedly have a record of spying on critics expressing legitimate dissent.
READ: SIM card registration law may compromise privacy – Bayan
Abejo said the people want to know what safeguards would be placed by the government to ensure data privacy.
“We want to know: while the National ID System is still being rolled out, what will be the identity verification process to be used and what safeguards will there be to ensure data privacy?” he asked.
“All these concerns raised by various groups are valid and must be addressed accordingly, so that we will be able to achieve the ends envisioned by the law without endangering the rights of the people,” he added.
Seamless implementation
But aside from having data privacy concerns addressed, CitizenWatch is also hoping that there would be no major interruption in the implementation of the law.
The group is wary that the implementing period for the registration of all unregistered SIM cards would be short. According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), they are already expecting problems in the implementation of the law since only 180 days are allotted to register around 144 million to 150 million SIM cards.
Abejo said a strategy should be implemented to minimize the disruption of services. One suggestion they have is to extend the period by 120 days.
“This will need a strategy that will be as painless and non-disruptive as possible for consumers and that will be achieved within the shortest and most feasible timeline,” Abejo said.
“The people also have to be given clear guidelines on how to register, and where,” he added.
The group’s suggestions are also reasons why state regulators and consumer groups must meet to discuss the issue, Abejo noted.
“On this one, our suggestion is that all services will be barred except incoming SMS for one-time-password validation for financial transactions,” he said.
“Let us not botch this one. We have a good law that needs urgent enforcement, so we must ensure that its intentions are not watered down or unduly delayed by sloppy implementation,” he added.
