Marcos Signs Sim Registration Bill into Law

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday signed into law a bill that sought to register Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to promote SIM card use accountability.

A ceremonial signing of the law was held at the Malacañang Ceremonial Hall, which was attended by different government officials.

Republic Act 11934, also known as The SIM Registration Act will seek to put an end to crimes that utilize SIM cards, including but not limited to, text and online scams.

This will be done through the regulation of the sale and use of SIMs by way of making the registration of the end-user mandatory.

Marcos gave a speech during the ceremonial signing of the law, saying that the government has achieved a way of resolving crimes through the utilization of SIMs.

“We will soon be able to provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to resolve crimes perpetrated with the use of these SIM cards, as well as providing a strong deterrence against the commission of wrongdoing,” Marcos said.

Moreover, Marcos added that data privacy rights are at the center of the “crucial” legislation.

“Included in this crucial piece of legislation are provisions that make paramount the protection of confidentiality and data privacy rights of subscribers, which shall begin to take effect at the point of sale,” Marcos said

Marcos emphasized data privacy further, saying that the government won’t be able to easily have free access to end-user data.

“These public telecommunication entities (PTEs) shall only be required to disclose the information contained in the SIM card, upon a duly issued subpoena or order of a court upon finding of probable cause,” Marcos added.

The SIM Registration Act mandates all PTEs to submit to the National Telecommunications Commission a verified list of authorized dealers.

The list is to be updated every quarter of every year. (GFB)