EDITORIAL - Ending anonymity

Anonymity has allowed the spread of fake news and other forms of disinformation, malicious attacks on targeted personalities, financial fraud and unfair trade on digital platforms. Anonymity has facilitated criminal activities online including drug trafficking.

Now the two chambers of Congress have moved to curb such activities, with the ratification of the SIM Card Registration Act. The bicameral conference report was forwarded to President Duterte for his signature last week as lawmakers prepared for the official start of the campaign period for the general elections.

Originally meant to thwart terrorism, the move to require the registration of SIM cards has evolved to include fighting online trolls, which become more pervasive during election season, as well as phishing and smishing that have led to the cyber theft of bank deposits.

Under the proposed law that Congress ratified, social media account providers must require the real name and phone number of the user upon creation of an account. Within 180 days from the time the new law comes into force, all existing SIM card subscribers must register with their public telecommunications entities, or else the SIM card number and registration will be automatically deactivated or retired.

A request can be made for an extension of up to 120 days to register, but it will need approval from the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Violators of the proposed law face imprisonment of at least six years, a fine of P200,000 or both.

While people see the need to curb trolling, phishing and other cybercrimes, a major concern is the protection of privacy. Once signed into law, authorities must make sure privacy and personal information will be safeguarded. People are willing to entrust personal information to the state, as shown in the registration for the national ID. It would be ironic if SIM card registration would result in the misuse of the required information for malicious or criminal purposes.