Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29) – Netizens were alarmed that enrolling SIM cards in telcos includes conditions to use their information for product advertisement.
The SIM registration portal of Globe Telecom includes an option to “receive commercial and promotional alerts” and to “share personal data for credit scoring, business analytics and product development.”
Although the two options were not required for enrolling the SIM, netizen Josh Serilo on Thursday warned the public to read the information “carefully” before agreeing.
“Please read carefully the information listed on the checklist before agreeing to it,” Serilo said in a Twitter post. “You are only required to tick the boxes with sentences marked by a red asterisk at the end of it. The other boxes are only optional.”
Serilo also stressed that aside from compromising one’s privacy, telecommunication companies may profit without compensating SIM users due to their data being sold.
Unlike the earlier Twitter post, CNN Philippines found that Globe put an emphasis on which options are required and which are optional.
CNN Philippines also confirmed that SMART Communications Inc. indicated “OPTIONAL” on the box that will allow them to send “customized offers, recommendations and promotions” using SMS, voice calls, and emails once checked.
Digital Pinoys campaigner Ronald Gustilo on Thursday said “Globe’s attempt to use subscriber data collected from SIM registration law may lead to more unwanted spam messages.”
“The law is specifically for combating illegal use and malicious activities. Commercial and promotional use of data collected under the law should not be allowed,” Gustillo said in a statement.
Under Section 10 of the SIM Registration Act, Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) are required to provide information obtained from the registration upon issuance of a subpoena.
Meanwhile, The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission stated that the consent signed by SIM users upon registration “shall not be made as a condition for approval of subscription agreement with PTEs.”
However, SMART indicated that “the company reserves the right at its absolute discretion to modify, delete, or add to any of the terms and conditions of the SIM Registration Service at any time.”
*CNN Philippines Digital Producers Raheema Velasco and Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring contributed to this report
IMPORTANT REMINDER BEFORE REGISTERING TO THE NEWLY-IMPLEMENTED SIM CARD REGISTRATION ACT
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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION LISTED ON THE CHECKLIST BEFORE AGREEING TO IT. As seen in this screengrab from the registration portal of Globe, you are only required … pic.twitter.com/W9EOZPNM9o
— Josh Cezar (@JotSerilo) December 28, 2022
