Philippines makes cellphone SIM registration compulsory to fight scams
A law requiring cellphone SIM registration was signed into law by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday. This is an important step in the fight against text scams, bank fraud, and false information.
To prevent criminals from hiding their identities, the rule will compel customers to provide their names and identity documents before purchasing a SIM card.
In a speech, Marcos declared: “We will finally achieve what has long been overdue, an effective means of regulating the issuance of SIM cards to curb the spread of spam text messages and scams,”
With 61 percent of its 110 million people using smartphones, the Philippines has one of Asia’s highest smartphone penetration rates. During the pandemic, a lot of people have turned to their mobile devices for banking, shopping, and food delivery.
The law was vetoed by Marcos’ predecessor Rodrigo Duterte because of a since-removed clause forcing social media users to disclose their identities and phone numbers.
Philippines makes cellphone SIM registration compulsory to fight scams
Existing pre-paid users are required to register under the new law. The new policy was welcomed by the country’s telecoms carriers, which have stopped more than 1 billion spam and questionable text messages this year.
The new registration procedures are being prepared for, according to PLDT, while Globe Telecom and DITO Telecommunity have advocated for a wider adoption of the national identification system to help users be verified.
Only a few of the thousands of Filipinos who have lost money to fraud via short messaging platforms this year have made official complaints, according to the information and communications ministry.
