Sim Card Registration Law: All You Need to Know (Updated)

What would you do if there was an unknown person contacting you through your personal number? May it be a text or a call, isn't it irritating and worrisome if there are potential scammers who have your contact number? This is what the Sim Card Registration Act — or the SIM Card Registration Law, aims to defeat.

On October 10, 2022, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed his first legislation as the newly-elected chief executive of the Philippines. The Republic Act 11934 (or the SIM Card Registration Act) is a law that mandates all Philippine SIM (subscriber identification module) card users, may they be in the Philippines or abroad, to register SIM card numbers from their mobile phones on or before the deadline set by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

At its core, this law aspires to combat the ever-growing number of phishing, mobile banking scams, and the spread of misinformation in the country by being able to identify the SIM card user behind the text scams. Prior to the law's enactment, mobile scammers avoid detection and criminal responsibility as they are not identifiable with their unregistered SIM cards.

But with the SIM Registration Law in full effect, scammers can now be easily identified. Those who will refuse to do the registration to avoid detection can no longer use their mobile phone numbers to perform their crimes, which is what this law intended to achieve from when it was still being proposed to its actual passage.

Extended for 90 Days: "Last Chance" for SIM Card Registration

Last April 25, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy announced the 90-day extension for the registration of SIM cards a day before its initial deadline, April 26. This move aims to give Filipino mobile users a "last chance" to register their SIM cards before the new deadline approaches.

Those who weren't able to register during the initial deadline, however, may already experience the early effects of non-registration, wherein they may be barred from accessing social media or from making texts and calls as usual.

The DICT also reported that they are in talks with telecommunications companies to limit the services available for unregistered users 60 days after the new 90-day deadline. For example, such users will no longer be able to access social media giants such as Facebook and TikTok. The DICT Secretary also stated that they are considering limiting the ability of unregistered SIM card users to make and receive calls, as part of the department's pursuit to oblige users to register and feel the immediate consequences of non-registration.

In the press conference, moreover, Secretary Uy expressed that the reason for the non-registration among SIM card users is not really about lack of internet access or valid IDs, but the tendency of Filipinos to act at the last minute, as evidenced by the upsurge of SIM card registrants a few days before the initial deadline. With this, the DICT Secretary called on Filipinos to SIM-register as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in the deactivation of their SIMs and the inability to access social media, e-wallet, and other financial services requiring the use of a SIM card.

As of April 23, 82.8 million SIM cards have been registered, which only accounts for 49.3 percent of the 168 million active SIM cards in the Philippines.

Aside from the recent 90-day deadline extension for SIM registration, we'll elaborate on the highlights of the new law, as well as answer some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

Who is affected by the law?

All Filipinos and Philippine SIM card users must register their SIM cards with their respective public telecommunications entities (PTEs). This includes all prepaid and postpaid users, as well as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who may be customers availing of the roaming feature for their subscription.

What will happen if I do not register?

If you don't register your SIM card before the deadline, you risk having your card and number permanently deactivated. You will also not be able to use another SIM card unless you register, submit the information required, and present one valid government-issued ID. In essence, SIM card registration is mandatory, and failing to do so will stop you from enjoying services provided by your mobile network.

What if I don't have internet access and a valid ID?

The easiest way to obtain a valid identification document is a barangay certificate/ID, which can be requested from your respective barangay. For the lack of internet access, meanwhile, the national government and telcos are deploying mobile units to assist users in remote areas with precariously low registration numbers.

What will happen if I submit fraudulent information?

If you try to register a SIM card with false or fictitious information, use false identities, or carry out fraudulent activities, you and other similar perpetrators will be subject to appropriate penalties.

How will my information be stored?

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reiterated early this year that all the personal information of registered users, such as date of birth, address, sex, and full name, will be "absolutely confidential" and securely stored in the PTEs' respective databases. But should a cyberattack occur, the mobile network companies are required to immediately inform DICT about the incident. In case of data breach, moreover, the PTEs will be fined up to 4 million pesos. Still, the implementors assure the public that their sensitive information is utterly safe.

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What does the private sector have to say about the Sim Registration Act?

There are mixed reactions to the new SIM registration law, similar to when then-president Rodrigo Duterte vetoed it during his term. Generally, everyone agrees that a foolproof identification system to verify whether the personal information database is safe and secure is indispensable for the success of the SIM Registration Law.

Other representatives from the telcos such as Globe and DITO make their proposals clear. They want to tap into the National ID system and databases to ensure the safe and successful implementation of the new law, said Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo. Echoing this sentiment, DITO Chief Technology Officer Rodolfo Santiago said that with the National ID and passport, there is no need to transfer to a new database, but just tap into the existing photo and personal data databases from the government to verify and help in the validation of the subscriber’s identity.

A representative of mobile phone users and technology experts, Kim Cantillas of the Computer Professionals Union, said the law may pose more harm than help to a subscriber. He raised various points such as in terms of using it to solve cybercrime from hackers and scammers. The law can only penalize fraudulent registration but does not stop fictitious identities who want to steal the information of the public. "They can just easily deactivate," Cantillas mentioned.

It may also be a concern for reporters and journalists in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines, as it may be used to disclose their private information, citing previous problems encountered by the Philippine government in terms of handling the list of personal data they are in charge of. Among these instances is the breach in voter information from the Commission on Elections' last national polls in May, and also in 2016, where at least 70 million Filipinos' information was leaked.

What do government critics say about the Sim Registration Act?

Recently, government critics staged a protest opposing the SIM Registration Law and filed a petition before the Supreme Court and demanded that the law be declared unconstitutional. The protesters say it will only risk Filipinos' personal data, as well as be weaponized to turn the Philippines into a surveillance state. In other words, it is feared that the law will only intensify the crackdown on progressive groups in the country.

For whatever it's worth, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that under no circumstances will the SIM Registration Law be politically weaponized against people and groups exercising their democratic right to criticize the government.

Know Your Subscriber Rights

With your privacy as a subscriber at stake, we suggest you take the matter into your hands, at least for now. Check out simple yet effective steps to block spam messages. You must also always be wary of clickable links that appear in a text message. It's better not to click on anything suspicious, which typically promises additional sources of income and easy money.

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