The SIM Card Registration Bill envisions to deter cybercrime and internet trolls by requiring everyone with Philippine SIM cards to register their full name, date of birth, and address on a centralized server, and use their real name and phone number on social media. However, the bill's provisions offer no real solution to these problems and only limit our right to privacy and expose us to risk by consolidating personally identifiable information on a centralized server. In addition, it robs us of the additional security that anonymity gives us, especially for celebrities, public figures, influencers, activists, human rights defenders, victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and children, and even individuals who simply wish to compartmentalize their personal lives from the rest of their activities.

Other countries who have enforced SIM Card Registration have already proven such measures ineffective and inefficient. An increase in identity fraud and black markets for unregistered SIM Cards has also been observed.

Our safety and security must not come at the cost of our rights to privacy and anonymity. We must defend our rights and fight this bill! We call on President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the SIM Card Registration Bill before it lapses into law!