CONGRESSMEN on Monday approved on third reading a bill that will require the registration of subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards to prevent mobile phone scams.
Voting 250-6 with one abstention, the chamber approved House Bill 14, or the proposed Subscriber Identity Module Card Registration Act.
Under the bill, telecommunication companies are tasked with the safekeeping of information gathered during the registration process. No data may be divulged except in compliance with laws, upon a court order or with the written consent of the subscriber.
Any breach of confidentiality will be punishable with imprisonment or a fine of as much as P1 million.
HB 14 is the exact version approved during the 18th Congress.
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte vetoed the bill in April after senators included social media accounts in the coverage.
The Senate approved a counterpart bill on second reading on Monday. — Matthew Carl L. Montecillo and ANOT