Pres. Marcos Jr. signs SIM Registration Act into law

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed the SIM Registration Act into law, mandating subscribers to register with telecommunication entities before SIMs are activated.

According to the Act, registration includes the submission of the full name, date of birth, and address of end-users, as well as valid government-issued identification cards to verify their identity.

Existing subscribers must also register with their respective telcos within 180 days from the effectivity of the Act, with an extension of 120 days upon a valid written request to the DICT. Failure to register within the prescribed period will result in the automatic deactivation or retirement of the SIM number and registration. It can only be reactivated after registration.

Telcos are also tasked to keep the subscribers’ information in a database, while the DICT shall conduct an annual audit of their compliance with information security standards.

Stolen SIM cards are also punishable under the Act.