Gov't scored for failure to address text, call scams

A group of computer professionals has scored government for its failure to lessen text and call scams amid the implementation of Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Law.

Computer Professionals’ Union said information technology and privacy experts oppose SIM registration because it is no guarantee against scams and will only make the public more vulnerable, based on the experience of countries that implemented it.

“Walang pag-aaral na ginawa ang gobyerno para dito. Maging ang SIM registration ay hindi nila pinag-aralan gayong kahit sa ibang bansa ay hindi ito epektibo laban sa scam at iba pang krimen,” it said.

For the first quarter of 2024, the PNP earlier reported a 21.84% increase in cybercrime complaints compared to the record for the same period in 2023.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has also warned the public against a new wave of text scams.

The group added the SIM Registration Act only transferred the responsibility of securing the data to telecommunication companies.

It further said the government was also not ready to implement RA 11934 as some users could not register themselves due to the absence of valid ID.

“Mayroon ding mga nahirapan magrehistro dahil hindi alam kung paano ito gagawin. Napagsamantalahan naman ito ng ilan na nagpapabayad para irehistro ang SIM ng mga nahihirapang gawin ito. Ayon sa batas, wala dapat bayad ang SIM registration, ngunit hinayaan lamang ng gobyerno ang ganitong kalagayan,” the group said.

Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and Senator Grace Poe earlier questioned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for failing to curb text scams.

The senators also told the NTC to combat such scams instead of making excuses.

NTC earlier pointed out 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," it said.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, GMA Integrated News