Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 12) — Old and new mobile phone users must register their SIM or subscriber identification module beginning Dec. 27 under new rules issued in line with the law.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) released the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act on Monday.

Existing users have six months to register the SIM or it will be deactivated. Owners of deactivated SIM have only five days to register and reactivate.
New SIMs sold will remain deactivated until end-users complete the process of registration.
The registration must be done electronically through a secure platform or website to be provided by the telecommunication companies to their subscribers.

Users will be asked to give some personal information like complete name, birthdate, sex, and address. They must also provide a copy of an identification card.
The IRR also states that any information and data obtained in the registration must be treated as absolutely confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person.


Telcos may disclose the full name and address of an end-user only in four instances:

*in compliance with any law obligating the telcos to disclose such information in accordance with the Data Privacy Act;
*in compliance with a court order or legal process upon finding of probable cause;
*in compliance with a subpoena issued by a competent authority pursuant to an investigation that a specific mobile number, was or is being used in the commission of a crime; and
*with the written consent of the subscriber.

"The confidentiality clause in the SIM registration shall take effect at the point of activation and shall continue even after deactivation of the SIM and for as long as the end-user's data is still retained by the PTEs (public telecommunication entity),” the IRR stated.

“For this purpose, the point of activation shall mean the time when the concerned PTE receives the required data or information from the registering subscriber/end-user," it added.

Fines and jail time await violators of the law.