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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Poe urges telcos anew to require 'selfies' for SIM registration

Poe urges telcos anew to require 'selfies' for SIM registration

Published Sep 8, 2023 09:44 am

Sen. Grace Poe called on concerned agencies and telecommunications companies (telcos) to require "selfies" in the SIM registration process as a means to deter instances of fraud and scamming.

Poe said that selfies, or one's photograph taken by oneself, should be part of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

"Kahit nandyan na ang SIM Registration law, hindi nawala ang scammers. Kaya pakiusap ko na isama na ang live selfie sa requirement ng registration (Even with the SIM Registration Law, the scammers didn't disappear. That's why I'm asking to include live selfie in registration requirement," Poe said in a statement.

"Ang batas ay ginawa para mas pangalagaan ang ating mga kababayan laban sa mga manloloko (The law was made to ensure the safety of citizens from scammers)," she added.

The head of the Senate Public Services committee renewed her push for the selfie requirement after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) bared in a hearing that it was able to register a SIM using a fake government ID bearing the photo of a monkey.

Prior to this, several raids in alleged cybercrime hubs yielded thousands of SIM cards that have been pre-registered and containing e-wallet purportedly used in the scam operations.

Poe, the author and sponsor of the law, said she expects the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to come up with a reinforced IRR that can be more effective in addressing scams.

"We have seen that fake government IDs can get through the telcos' system. The selfies will be an added line of defense in the SIM verification process," she said.

However, the senator reminded the IRR must ensure protection of subscribers against privacy violations.

Poe also exhorted telcos to make an extra effort that would make it easy for subscribers to comply with the selfie requirement, especially those in far-flung areas and without internet access.

The senator said government agencies and telcos should also work closely in tracking down individuals and groups who try to get around the law to continue their illegal activities.

"Hindi simpleng registration ang pakay ng batas na ito. Pagsisiguro ito na ang perang naipon ng ating mga kababayan ay hindi mananakaw ng manloloko gamit mismo ang SIM (This law is not a simple registration. This is an assurance that the money earned by our citizens are not being robbed by scammers using SIMs)," Poe said.

Related Tags

Senator Grace Poe Senate Committee on Public Services SIM Registration Act
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