A consumer group raised alarm over the provisions of the Konetakdong Pinoy bill, stressing the need for safeguards to guarantee that the country will be free from security threats.
While it recognizes the need for the country to be widely connected, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) Convenor Atty. Karry Sison said that the national security must also be prioritized.
"Ngunit sa ating matinding pangangailangan ng mas maayos na koneksyon, tila hindi natin napagtutuunan ng pansin ang malaking banta sa ating seguridad (However, in our urgent need for better connectivity, it seems we are overlooking the significant threat to our security)," Sison said in a statement.
"Sa kasalukuyang anyo ng panukalang ito, walang matibay na pananggalang upang masigurong ligtas at lehitimo ang mga papasok na telco providers. Walang garantiya na hindi sila may kaugnayan sa mga grupong may masamang hangarin laban sa ating bansa o sa ating mga ordinaryong mamimili (In its current form, this proposal lacks strong safeguards to ensure that incoming telecom providers are safe and legitimate. There is no guarantee that they do not have ties to groups with malicious intent against our country or our ordinary citizens)," she added.
The Senate, on February 5, successfully passed on its third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2699 before entering its scheduled session break.
The bill aims to make it easier for service providers to enter the market, fostering competition and offering consumers a greater number and more affordable options for internet services.
Sison has expressed strong concerns regarding the potential risks posed by allowing any service provider to enter the country without sufficient regulatory oversight.
"Kung walang sapat na proteksyon, magiging madali para sa mga mapagsamantalang grupo na dayain, nakawan, o manipulahin ang mga gumagamit ng internet, lalo na ang mga hindi pamilyar sa mga panganib ng online transactions (Without adequate protection, it will be easy for exploitative groups to deceive, rob, or manipulate internet users, especially those who are unfamiliar with the risks of online transactions)."
The BK3 convenor emphasized that sufficient protection must be in place to prevent potential risks before the law is enacted.