OPINION THiRD TiME’S THE CHARM

Concerns from students arose as the implementation of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 11934, now requires all prepaid SIM card users to register their SIMs via websites provided by telecommunications companies. The recent events caused a fiasco in the online scene, wired with a myriad of complaints regarding the act.

Sen. Loren Legarda first introduced the bill to combat fraud and malicious acts online. Netizens, along with a few lawmakers, argued that the bill breached the Data Privacy Act of 2012, even organizing a few protests to show opposition against the bill. The bill was officially put into effect after earning the approval of President Marcos.

Despite the law’s efforts to address the long-standing problem of fraud and scams, it poses a problem for minors. To register, a guardian or parent must provide personal information and a valid ID; this presents a challenge for people who have neither parents nor guardians.

With a few tweaks and turns, the act could be revised to address both the potential problems and the present ones. The potential for something greater that can cater to online scams lies in the act, though it lacks thorough planning. Currently, the act’s drawbacks outweigh its benefits, with students being caught in the crunch.

by: Luis David

by: Sheena Panelo