The National Privacy Commission (NPC) stated on Thursday, cautioning against selling registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards and highlighting potential penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
As the sole data privacy authority mandated to enforce the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the NPC underscored the gravity of registering SIM cards with the intention of selling them.
They warned about the “serious ramifications” of such actions. They expressed concern over certain individuals who, acting as agents of malicious entities, are enticing individuals with monetary offers averaging around P1,000 for registered SIM cards.
“This practice is not only prohibited under the SIM Registration Act (RA No. 11934) but it also places data subjects in a vulnerable position, exposing them to potential legal repercussions, risks and harms if a SIM card, registered in their name, is misused for illicit activities,” the NPC said.
The privacy authority emphasized that strict penalties will be imposed on individuals engaged in selling or transferring registered SIM cards without adhering to the necessary registration procedures or without duly notifying the relevant telecommunications company, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the SIM Registration Act.
“More specifically, under Section 11 (g) of the SIM Registration Act, individuals found guilty of selling or transferring a registered SIM card without complying with the required registration under Section 6 of the same law may be subject to imprisonment ranging from six months to six years, or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 or both,” the NPC said.
Registered SIM sellers to pay fines, face jail time
The agency also provides the following guidelines for individuals to safeguard themselves as subscribers and data subjects:
- Awareness: Educate yourself about the legal and privacy implications of registering and selling SIM cards. Familiarize yourself with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its provisions.
- Vigilance: Exercise caution when faced with unsolicited offers to purchase your registered SIM card. Carefully evaluate the motives behind such offers and verify the credibility of the individuals involved.
- Report Suspicious Activities: If you encounter offers to sell your registered SIM card, promptly report such incidents to your telecommunications service provider. Timely reporting can aid in preventing potential misuse of your data.
- Reporting Changes to Telcos: Swiftly notify your telecommunications service provider about subscriber (end-user) information changes. This ensures the telcos can update their database in line with the SIM Registration Act.
- Identity Verification: Before transferring ownership of a SIM card, ensure proper identity verification procedures are followed. This precaution can thwart unauthorized transfers.
- Legal Compliance: If you sell or transfer a registered SIM card, adhere to the legal prerequisites for reporting such transactions, as stipulated by the SIM Registration Act.
“The NPC remains committed to safeguarding the data privacy rights of every Filipino citizen, and we stand ready to take appropriate action against those who disregard and violate the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and related issuances,” it added.
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