Philippines’ SIM Card Registration Initiative Sparks Controversy

The Philippines’ SIM Card Registration Act, signed into law last year by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has triggered controversy and faced backlash as millions of Filipinos grapple with the registration process. The law aims to combat cybercrime, including fraud, trolling, and hate speech, by mandating the registration of SIM cards under users’ names. However, challenges have arisen, including issues related to the lack of officially recognized IDs among the population.

The government set an initial deadline of April 26 for registration, later extended to July 26. Despite the extension, some citizens, like 18-year-old John Aguilar, are encountering difficulties in meeting the requirements. Aguilar, lacking identification and knowledge of the registration process, expressed uncertainty about compliance.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported that 95 million SIM cards have been registered, with five million remaining. The threat of social media restrictions for non-compliant individuals has been invoked by Secretary Ivan John Uy, emphasizing the importance of compliance.

While the legislation aims to enhance cybersecurity and deter cybercrime, concerns have been raised by cybersecurity experts. Some argue that the law may inadvertently lead to identity theft and fraud. Critics also highlight potential abuses related to Section 11 of the law, which empowers law enforcement to impersonate registered SIM users for “authorized activities.”

Recent developments, including the relaxation of ID acquisition rules and reports of SIM card registration assistance for a fee, have sparked alarm. Critics, such as social entrepreneur Dominic Vincent Ligot, caution that the law could create a black market for registered identities and exacerbate identity theft issues.

Lawyer Jamael Jacob expressed concerns about the credibility of barangay IDs used in the registration process, emphasizing their unreliability and ease of procurement. The controversy surrounding the SIM Card Registration Act highlights the challenges of implementing such measures in a country where access to official identification may be limited.

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