The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) should integrate social media accounts and payments gateway in the SIM (subscriber identity module) card registration database to verify information and fight persistent fraud, according to a partylist group.
Lawyer Nicasio Conti of the Computer Literacy, Innovation, Connectivity and Knowledge (Click) Partylist, said the integration of social media and payment gateway accounts with the mobile phone database would be a promising “quick and easy” solution to the persistent problem of unsolicited text promos and telco and online based scams that continue to victimize Filipinos.
“Integrating SIM registration with social media and payment gateway accounts could significantly enhance the security of the process. These platforms already employ advanced security measures, including two-factor authentication, biometric verification, and stringent identity checks. By tying SIM cards to these accounts, we leverage an existing infrastructure designed to protect against fraud and identity theft,” Conti said.
Conti, a former commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, said social media platforms and payment gateways have extensive digital footprints that could be used to verify the authenticity of users.
“This additional layer of verification makes it harder for criminals to use fake identities, thereby reducing the incidence of scams and other cybercrimes,” Conti said.
Conti said the DICT should level up their efforts to combat telco and online fraud despite the enforcement of the Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act in July 2023.
“Despite mandatory SIM registration, cybercriminal activities continue to thrive, exploiting loopholes and leveraging technology to evade detection. It is evident that more robust measures are necessary to combat this persistent threat,” Conti said.
Conti said the proposal was not without its challenges. “Chief among them is the issue of privacy. Tying SIM cards to social media and payment gateway accounts means that personal information will be more interconnected and potentially more accessible. This raises the risk of data breaches and misuse of personal information,” Conti said.
“To mitigate these risks, stringent data protection measures must be implemented. Robust encryption, strict access controls, and transparent data usage policies are essential. Additionally, there must be clear regulations governing how this data is used and shared, ensuring that user privacy is safeguarded,” Conti said.
“The integration of SIM registration with social media and payment gateways represents a delicate balance between enhancing security and protecting privacy. It is a challenging endeavor, but one that could yield significant benefits if executed correctly,” Conti said.
“Lawmakers, technology companies and privacy advocates must work together to create a framework that maximizes security while minimizing risks to personal privacy. This includes comprehensive consultations, pilot programs to test the system, and ongoing oversight to address any emerging issues,” he said.
