The ratification of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Bill only serves to threaten the data privacy of Filipinos and won’t counter text scams or “smishing,” says Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas.
"This SIM card registration bill, which is now to be transmitted in the Office of the President for signature, puts forward a lopsided presumption that all Filipinos are considered as potential criminals and evading the law unless registered as SIM card holders," Brosas said on Friday, Sept. 30.
The House of Representatives ratified the bicameral report, essentially harmonizing the conflicting provisions, between two SIM Card Registration measures: House Bill (HB) 14 and Senate Bill 1310. It now only needs the signature of the President in order for it to be enacted.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/28/house-ratifies-bicam-report-on-sim-card-registration-bill/
"Wala namang kasiguraduhan na kapag nirehistro ng lahat ang kanilang SIM cards ay matitigil na ang mga spam messages at trolls dahil sa totoong buhay, may mga malalaking tao na nakikinabang dito (There is no certainty that, when their SIM Cards are registered, spam messages from trolls will stop. In reality, there are big people who benefit from it),” Brosas explained.
She speculated that smishing acts would proliferate because all of the registered users’ data would be readily available on one database.
"Ngayon pa lang hindi na maresolba ang cyber attacks at data breach, paano pa pag nasa kamay na ng PTEs ang data ng konsyumers. Ang unahin ng gobyerno, ayusin ang implementasyon ng kasalukuyang data privacy measures (Even now, cyber attacks and data breaches have not been resolved. What will happen if consumer data is in the hands of PTEs? The government should first prioritize secure implementation of data privacy measures," Brosas added.
"We cannot entrust our data to state security forces notorious for using critics' personal information to harass and vilify them. We call on the Marcos Jr. administration to veto the bill and uphold the Filipinos' right to communication," the lawmaker concluded.