Globe Backs Government Audit to Ensure SIM Registration Integrity, Calls for Full National ID Implementation Amid Scam Texts

In Q1 2024 Globe proactively blocked 36,549 SIMs from other networks and deactivated 841 SIMs from its network identified as potential sources of spam or scam SMS. Photo from Globe social media.

Globe, the leading mobile network in the Philippines, is ready to fully cooperate with a government audit of its SIM registration database to combat persistent scam texts.

Darius Delgado, Globe Vice President and Head of Consumer Mobile Business, emphasized the importance of the audit. “We’re halfway into the second year of the implementation of the SIM Registration Act, and the DICT’s call is timely. We take this as an opportunity to show our efforts in ensuring that our SIM registration data have been validated,” Delgado said.

Delgado noted that most scam messages are now sent through over-the-top media services, chat apps, Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Android, other internet-based messaging platforms, and fake cell towers, rather than telco networks.

Globe reiterated its call for the full implementation of the National ID system to standardize the ID types accepted for SIM registration, enhancing the process’s credibility. The current law allows various government-issued IDs, which can be prone to tampering or fraud.

To bolster this initiative, GCash is piloting the government’s National ID eVerify Platform, which will authenticate identities in various transactions.

SIM Data Sweeps and Security Measures

Last year, Globe conducted a sweep of its SIM registration data after reports of non-human photos being used to register SIMs. The company has since deactivated unverified submissions.

Earlier, Globe deactivated over 30 million unregistered SIMs following the registration period (December 27, 2022, to July 30, 2023) for SIMs in use before the SIM Registration Act took effect.

Globe employs several measures to secure its SIM registration platform:

• Advanced encryption protocols for data transmission.
• Live photo capture technology to prevent the use of stock or pre-existing photos.
• Limited ID submission retries to guard against fake document attempts.

In Q1 2024, Globe proactively blocked 36,549 SIMs from other networks, a 62% increase compared to the same period last year. It also deactivated 841 SIMs from its network identified as potential sources of spam or scam SMS.

In September 2022, Globe became the first telco in the country to block all person-to-person SMS with clickable links, a measure later required of other telcos by the National Telecommunications Commission. This has effectively eradicated scam and spam SMS within the Globe network.

Globe currently serves 58.8 million mobile subscribers.

For more information on Globe’s SIM registration efforts, visit Globe SIM Registration.

ABOUT GLOBE

Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading telecommunications company in the Philippines, listed on the PSE under the stock symbol GLO. It serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses with a suite of products and services, including mobile, broadband, data connectivity, internet, and managed services. Globe also offers digital solutions in fintech, healthtech, ad tech, climate tech, shared services, and venture capital. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel.

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