Globe welcomes NTC guidelines for improved ID verification in SIM registration

Globe welcomed the release of NTC's new guidelines to improve ID verification in the SIM registration process.

File photo: Globe 4G LTE/5G SIM

To improve customer protection, fighting scammers

During a recent Senate hearing, it was revealed that some scammers are using animal photos instead of real person's IDs. This placed the quality of verification in the SIM registration process into question.

See also: Photo of animal used for SIM registration? Here's what the NBI found out 

While telcos complied with the SIM Registration law, there are still ways to improve it for better consumer protection and to curb online fraud and scams.

One way is by having a proper identification system, Globe said in a statement.

This is needed to avoid using various types of government-issued IDs that may be tampered with or compromised. This is an important area that must be pursued vigorously. We renew our call for consultations with the government on improvements in the rollout of the National ID, and law enforcement, the telco explained.

Globe said another is the newly released guidelines of NTC for the verification of the identity of SIM owners, which the telco welcomed.

Even as Globe will comply with the guidelines, fresh investments must be made to deploy a more sophisticated identification solution. Looking at various technical solutions will take time to ensure we implement a solution that truly addresses the unique and complex requirements of the SIM Registration law, Globe added.

Third is the implementation of the SIM Registration Act.

Globe said that effective law enforcement and intelligence that can keep up with tech-based illegal activities must be implemented.

When SIM registration was implemented last year, telcos only had 15 days to design its SIM registration platform following the release of the IRR. Our capability for ID validation is also limited by the lack of access to a database where we may verify submissions. For facial or optical character recognition to work efficiently and accurately, there should be a database of facial biometrics and IDs that only government issuers possess, said Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel of the Globe Group.

We are currently working with the government to enhance our SIM registration platform, and we hope to get access to data with which we can verify document submissions, including photo IDs, added Castelo.

Globe urged SIM users to submit only verified information and IDs in registering their SIMs or face penalties under the SIM Registration Act. Individuals who provide false information or fake IDs may face prison time of six months to 2 years, and a PHP 300,000 fine.

Moving forward, we are optimistic that with the recent post-validation guidelines from the NTC, we will be able to weed out those who submitted fake credentials to register, deactivate their SIMs, and report them to law enforcers for investigation, Castelo said.

What do you think about this?