MANILA – The implementation of the SIM card registration law will be a better tool to combat disinformation sown through SMS services, especially during natural disasters, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said in a press statement over the weekend that implementing mandatory registration for those using prepaid SIM cards could help authorities track down fake news mongers.
“Nakita natin nitong mga nakaraang araw na habang nagsisikap tayong panatilihing ligtas ang ating mga kababayan, may ilan namang sadyang nagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon na lalo namang nagiging sanhi ng kalituhan at pag-aalala,” said Gatchalian.
On Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) denied online rumors that an Alert Level 5 – signifying that a hazardous eruption was in progress – had been raised on Taal Volcano.
Prior to that, Phivolcs repeatedly warned the public against spreading fake news during natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 176 or the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act last year where end-users of prepaid SIM cards would be required to present a valid identification card and sign a control-number registration form issued by the SIM card’s service provider.
However, Gatchalian assured the public that their cellular information would still be kept private in accordance with the constitutional right to privacy and applicable laws./PN
