House OKs mandatory SIM card registration bill

Amid the rise in text scams in the Philippines, the House committee on information and communications technology green-lighted the consolidated bill that seeks to require the registration of mobile subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.

File photo: SIM card

Lawmakers continue to push for SIM card registration

House Bill No. 14 will serve as the primary bill. Filed last June 30, the measure was authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ilocos 1st District Rep. Alexander Marcos, and Tingog party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

The proposed bill was refiled after former President Rodrigo Duterte rejected the measure.

The affordability and accessibility of SIM cards have resulted in the democratization of mobile communications, possibly contributing to a more level playing field in terms of employment, education, and access to public information. On the other hand, having an unregulated SIM card market has also given way to several mobile phone scams, the explanatory note of the bill read.

In December last year, senators backed a similar bill with a provision to keep trolls out, as it sought to mandate social media platforms to require "real-name and phone number upon creation of account" as part of efforts to defeat trolls online.

Dominant telcos Globe and PLDT previously expressed support for the passage of the bill.

Source: Inquirer