THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it formed a task force to audit subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, which have been used in a growing number of text scams even after the government resorted to SIM registration.
In an order dated Aug. 5, the DICT said the task force will verify the authenticity of registered SIM cards and assess existing protocols and procedures.
Information and Communications Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian C. Dy said the audit task force is authorized by Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.
“We are mandated to perform the security audit of the PTEs (public telecommunication entities) especially in assessing their databases,” he said.
He said with or without the proliferation of scams, the DICT still needs to assess the confidentiality and integrity of PTE databases.
The DICT has been receiving reports that “anyone, despite the implementation of the law, can register their SIMs,” Mr. Dy said.
The SIM card registration annual audit task force must submit within 60 days its comprehensive audit report that contains findings, recommendations and actions to be taken to improve the SIM Registration Act.
“We will produce an audit report. This will be made publicly available and will include how to improve the information security of the SIM card registration, and the implementation of the law,” Mr. Dy said.
In June, the National Telecommunications Commission said it will step up enforcement of the law in the face of growing text scams. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
