SIM Registration Law (RA 11934): Rules and Penalties

All end-users. Section 4 says "all end-users shall be required to register their SIMs with PTEs as a pre-requisite to the activation thereof". PTEs are the public telecommunications entities, or telcos. New SIMs are sold in a deactivated state and are activated only after registration.

Section 5 adds that a buyer who does not complete the registration requirements will not have the SIM activated.

For SIMs that were already in use when the law took effect, Section 4 set a registration period of 180 days, which the DICT could extend by up to 120 days. An existing SIM not registered in time was automatically deactivated, and "may only be reactivated after registration". The actual deadlines used and whether SIMs deactivated then can still be reactivated today were not read on an official page, so this page gives no dates.

Under Section 5(a), you fill out an owner's registration form electronically, on a platform or website provided by the telco, with your full name, date of birth, sex and address. The form includes your declaration that the IDs you presented are true and correct and that you filled out the form yourself.

The IRR (NTC Memorandum Circular No. 001-12-2022) also asks for the type and number of the ID presented, and the mobile number and serial number of the SIM (Section 6(d)).

Section 5(b) lists valid IDs with photo, "such as, but not limited to":

• passport;
• Philippine Identification;
• SSS ID or GSIS e-Card;
• driver's license;
• NBI clearance or police clearance;
• firearms license ID;
• PRC ID or IBP ID;
• OWWA ID;
• BIR ID;
• voter's ID;
• senior citizen's card;
• UMID;
• PWD card; and
• other valid government-issued ID with photo.

Section 6 says registration "shall be implemented at no cost to the end-users".

Minors. Section 5(d) says the SIM of a minor "shall be under the name of the minor's parent or guardian", who must give consent and register the SIM. The IRR asks for a valid ID of the parent or guardian and the parent's or guardian's consent (IRR Section 7(c)).

Foreign tourists. They present a passport, proof of address in the Philippines and a return ticket (Section 5(e)(1)). Their SIMs are valid "temporarily for thirty (30) days" and are deactivated automatically when that period ends. The IRR allows an extension only upon presentation of an approved visa extension (IRR Section 4(d)).

Other foreign nationals. They present a passport, proof of address in the Philippines and, as applicable, an Alien Employment Permit from DOLE, an ACR I-Card from the Bureau of Immigration, a school registration and ID for students, or other pertinent documents (Section 5(e)(2)).

Section 6 says the end-user "shall immediately inform the PTE" of a loss, and the telco "shall deactivate said SIM within twenty-four (24) hours from the report". Under the IRR, a SIM reported lost or stolen is barred immediately and permanently deactivated when a new SIM is issued to the verified end-user or within 24 hours, whichever comes earlier (IRR Section 10(f)).

When an end-user dies, the immediate family, relatives or guardian should report it to the telco (Section 6).

Telcos must keep the registration data for ten years (Section 6). They must also provide easy ways to report "any potentially fraudulent text or call", and, after investigation, may deactivate the SIM used, temporarily or permanently. For scams, see Scammed online: what to do.

Not freely. Section 7 says: "A registered SIM shall not be sold or transferred without complying with the registration requirements under Section 6 of this Act." The registration requirements are actually in Section 5 of the Act; the cross-reference is printed this way.

Yes. Section 9 says the data "shall be treated as absolutely confidential". It may be disclosed only when the law requires it, upon a court order, upon a subpoena under Section 10, or "With the written consent of the subscriber".

Under Section 10, law enforcement may get the data through a subpoena issued "pursuant to an investigation based on a sworn complaint that a specific mobile number was or is being used in the commission of a crime".

Section 14 says any doubt in reading the law "shall be construed in a manner that accords the highest respect for privacy". For complaints about misuse of personal data, see How to file a data privacy complaint.

Section 11 sets these penalties, among others:

Anyone who "abets or aids" the commission of these offenses is liable as a co-principal.

These are made-up examples to show how the rules work. They are not advice for any real case.

Carlo, 15, gets his first phone. His mother registers the SIM in her own name, presents her driver's license and gives her consent (Section 5(d)). Legally, the SIM is registered to her.

Ana loses her phone in a jeepney. She reports it to her telco and asks for a replacement SIM. The telco must bar the lost SIM right away and deactivate it within 24 hours or when her new SIM is issued, whichever comes first.

Ben sells his old registered prepaid SIM to a stranger online, and the buyer never registers it. Under Sections 7 and 11(g), this can mean 6 months to 6 years in prison, or a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱300,000, or both.

You do not need a lawyer to register a SIM. Talk to one if you are accused of using a fake ID, spoofing or selling a SIM, if your number was used in a crime and you received a subpoena or complaint, or if a telco leaked your data.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, see Free legal help in the Philippines.