EDITORIAL - Digital fraud still around

When it comes to digital technology, it seems scammers and other criminals always manage to stay one step ahead of the law.

A month after the deadline lapsed for the registration of SIM cards, many people continue to receive text scam attempts and other unwanted digital messages. On Sept. 1, Globe Telecom Inc. warned that digital fraud continues to proliferate in messaging channels and with the use of overseas numbers, which are not covered by Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

Globe pointed out that messaging apps such as Viber, WhatsApp and Telegram may be accessed by anyone, including those whose subscriber identity modules and mobile phone numbers are not registered with Philippine telecommunications providers. With the enactment of RA 11934, Globe said criminals have shifted to using foreign SIMs, which are not covered by the law.

Before unregistered SIM cards were deactivated, Globe reported blocking approximately 2.2 billion messages linked to scam attempts in the first six months of this year alone. Even with the ongoing deactivation, however, digital fraud and malicious messaging continue partly because of the weakness of the verification system for accurate SIM registration.

The telecommunications giants had cited this problem when RA 11934 was being crafted, suggesting that the government first finish the rollout of the national ID system before making SIM card registration mandatory. But with the rollout of the national ID moving slowly, the government said other state-issued IDs could be used for SIM registration. Not all people, however, have government IDs with strong security features such as passport and driver’s license. Other government-issued IDs can be easily faked.

This problem has now been complicated by the use of messaging apps and foreign SIMs that are outside the scope of RA 11934. Telcos and financial institutions can only repeat their warnings against sharing personal and sensitive information on online platforms.

The government, for its part, must take cognizance of these problems and avoid rushing headlong into e-governance. Digital operations can plug opportunities for corruption and promote efficiency and ease of doing business. But the digital infrastructure must be assured of a measure of security from criminal and other malicious activities that can cause serious harm to both the government and the citizenry.