Does the SIM Card Registration Law Prosecute Fascist Attacks?

The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, also known as Republic Act No 11934, has been controversial way before its implementation on December 27, 2022 This law mandates the registration of all prepaid and postpaid SIM cards with personal identification information, including the user ’ s name, address, date of birth, and other sensitive details

The law was imposed with the intention of addressing security concerns involving unregistered SIM cards, which were hotbeds for criminal activity such as terrorism, extortion, and fraud, amongst other crimes It was also to comply with the standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – an intergovernmental organization driven by the goal of protecting the integrity of the international financial system – internationally on combatting money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF had previously deemed the Philippines a potential addition to the “ gray list” of countries with remiss measures against dirty money.

While the law is purported to help combat the exponential rise of cybercrime and enhance public safety, it has faced criticism for its potential impact on privacy and civil liberties Several argue that there are compelling reasons to reject this law and call for its repeal

Firstly, the SIM Card Law can potentially propagate fascist attacks This law gives the government and law enforcement agencies the power to access the personal data of every mobile phone user in the country Such an immense amount of data could be misused or abused for fascist purposes, including discriminatory profiling, surveillance, and harassment of political opponents or minority groups Gabriela Partylist Representative, Arlene Brosas, says, “This proposed SIM card registration bill gives a false assurance that once all SIM cards are registered, purveyors of spam messages and trolls will be flagged – when in reality, these crimes and acts will not come to a halt ” The potential abuse of this information can compromise the privacy and safety of citizens and lead to human rights violations

Secondly, the SIM Card Registration Act violates the Data Privacy Act (DPA). This law mandates the protection of personal data, including the right to be informed, the right to object, and the right to access, among others. However, the SIM card law requires the collection of personal data without the express consent of the user, thereby violating their right to privacy. An organization of information and technology professionals and advocates shared their bits on the law, with secretary general Kim Cantillas stating, “It has been proven in other countries that this is not an effective means to stop or minimize the crimes it is meant to address ” She adds, Given the poor implementation of the DPA and a culture that does not yet appreciate our right to privacy, this is an additional risk to the people ” The final blow is delivered with a sharp reproval towards the Marcos administration, as she says, “It is disappointing that instead of addressing the different crises in our country, the Marcos administration chooses to prioritize a bill which is ineffective and will expose us to more risk ” The collection and storage of personal data in a centralized database could also lead to data breaches and expose users to identity theft or other forms of cybercrime – a state of aggression disguised as legislation This law infringes on the privacy and freedom of citizens and amounts to a violation of their civil liberties By collecting personal data, the government can easily identify and monitor citizens and potentially harass or punish them for their political or social beliefs

Finally, there are more pressing matters to attend to that are not subtle acts of power-tripping. The Philippines faces several pressing issues, including the lack of access to education, poverty and inequality, corruption, political instability, and human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings. These issues require immediate attention and resources to address effectively The SIM Card Registration Act distracts from these more critical issues and is an unnecessary burden on citizens

In conclusion, the SIM Card Registration Act in the Philippines is a flawed law that poses a significant threat to privacy, civil liberties, and human rights The government should be called to repeal this law and focus on addressing more pressing issues, such as the safety and protection of the lives of Filipinos

By: Ellyanna Nicole Du