A group of digital experts and advocates urged the national government to do more in ensuring that the Sim Registration Law is being effectively implemented in the campaign against cybercrimes.

The group, the Junk Sim Registration Network, explained that a mere technical remedy on the registration of SIM cards, like reviewing and revising its law, would not address the prevalence of cybercrimes.

“Comprehensive data privacy protection and educating the public against digital scams which are supposed to be the primary responsibilities of the gov’t are more imperative than reviewing and revising the SIM Registration Act,” the group said.

“Fixing the loopholes of the law could be part of the solution, but addressing cybercrimes as a complex and high-tech field needs more than just asking the subscribers to enroll their SIM cards,” it added.

The group was reacting to the statement of the Department of Information and Communications Technology which called for a review of the SIM Registration Act since online scammers have reportedly found new ways to execute their criminal activities.

DICT Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Renato ‘Aboy’ Paraiso said that scammers are now using internet-based messaging platforms for crimes like Viber and Messenger, among others, and are also using foreign issued SIM cards.

According to the Philippine National Police, the number of cybercrimes increased by 21.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

The Junk Sim Registration Network also expressed alarm over the possibility that SIM registration creates databases that could be targets for cyber attacks.

"We need comprehensive solutions that include strong data privacy protections and public education," the group said.

"The JSRN argues that the government should abandon the SIM registration and focus, instead, on other options that would emphasize public awareness, robust data privacy, and information security measures," it added.