DICT to tighten SIM registration rules with stricter ID requirements

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is exploring ways to reduce the number of acceptable identification documents for SIM card registration in a bid to curb identity falsification, according to Secretary Henry Aguda.

During the House of Representatives committee on appropriations' budget deliberations for 2027, Aguda flagged the proposed measure as a potential safeguard against fraudulent registrations. The plan would narrow the range of valid IDs currently accepted when consumers purchase subscriber identity module cards.

The move aligns with the government's broader push to strengthen telecommunications security and prevent criminal misuse of SIM cards, which have been exploited in scams and illicit activities. By restricting acceptable forms of identification to primary documents only, authorities aim to make it more difficult for individuals to register cards under false identities.

The DICT has not yet disclosed which specific identification documents would remain valid under the new framework, nor has a timeline been announced for implementation. The proposal is expected to undergo further review and consultation with telecommunications providers and other stakeholders before any formal policy changes are enacted.