Cybercrimes up due to SIM card registration loopholes

A GROUP of Information Technology experts warned that cybercrimes continue to rise despite the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Law.

In a statement, the Computer Professionals’ Union said that the government was not ready to implement Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Card Registration Law as some users could not register for lack of a valid ID.

“Many found it difficult to register because they did not know what to do. Others were duped and made to pay to register their SIM when under the law, registration should be free,” the group said.

It said that cybercrimes increased despite the implementation of the law because the government did not study the implications of RA 11934, which was enacted in 2022.

“No studies were made, including SIM registration, which was not effective in curbing scams in other countries,” Computer Professionals’ Union spokesman Maded Batara said.

“Lawmakers lied when they said that SIM registration would end scams and cybercrime. On the contrary, cybercrimes increased, according to the report of the Philippine National Police,” Batara added.

The PNP said the number of cybercrimes increased by 21.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

With this, Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senator Grace Poe questioned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for failing to curb text scams. The senators also told the NTC to combat such scams.

NTC earlier admitted that the SIM Registration Act is “not a silver bullet against messaging scams.”

“The NTC fully acknowledges the call of our legislators on the need to further strengthen not only the law, but also its enforcement, to which the NTC remains committed. Although the SIM Registration Act is not a silver bullet against messaging scams, it is nevertheless one of the most important tools for our law enforcement authorities because it provides legal sanctions for SIM-aided offenses,” the agency said.