The Philippine Online Chronicles

Filipino netizens shunned the proposal of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regulate laptops, SIM card and other mobile devices used to connect to the internet.

The issue generated buzz in the social media site Twitter as users posted their reactions to the bid that was discussed in a hearing of the Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology on cybercrime bills, Monday

Many said the proposal is “moronic, hilarious and a just a money-making scheme” of the NBI.

But NBI Anti-fraud and Computer Crimes Division Palmer Mallari said that regulating laptops "would help law enforcement agencies in the fight against cybercrime."

NBI cited that almost half of internet connections in the country is wireless, consequently making it hard for law enforcers to trace specific users involved in cyber crimes.

Mallari argued “that registering devices used in connecting to the Internet can make it a lot easier for law enforcers to trace Filipinos involved in cybercrime.”

NBI said that securing the information on the origin of the Internet crime will be better served via the MAC ID of the laptop, a 12-digit code broken into pairs, which is reportedly difficult to fake.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero expressed opposition to the proposal saying it will only be a hassle for users. He said the regulation of laptops is an overreaction. "It would probably be easier for law enforcement agencies to monitor the Internet service providers. That way, whatever device is used -- laptops, cell phones - can be monitored without violating anyone's privacy too much," he added.

NBI raised the proposal after the approval of the The Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Act by the House Committee on ICT. Mallari said “a cybercriminal will favor an open wireless network as this will render him untraceable except for the media access control (MAC) address of the gadget.”

But Senate Committee on Science and Techonology chair Egardo Angara favored the proposal. He said in a report, "In other countries, like Singapore, this is already being done. As for the telecom companies, if you’re making P35 billion a year why not spend P1 billion for a registration system so your Internet will be safe, your e-mail will be safe, your telephone will be safe?"

Angara also authored the Anti-Cybercrime Bill (Senate Bill 52) and proposed the expansion of E-Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act 8792) to include the regulation of SIM cards and laptop computers in order to tackle issues brought on with wireless connectivity.

He said that cybercrime, like identity theft and hacking must be taken seriously.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier endorsed a bill requiring the registration of pre-paid SIM cards sold by retailers, according to Digital Journal.