A consumer group raised alarm over the provisions of the Konetakdong Pinoy bill, saying that there are no safeguards to guarantee that the country will be free from security threats.
While it recognizes the need for the country to be widely connected, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) Convenor lawyer Karry Sison said that the national security must also be prioritized.
“Ngunit sa ating matinding pangangailangan ng mas maayos na koneksyon, tila hindi natin napagtutuunan ng pansin ang malaking banta sa ating seguridad (However, in our intense need for better connection, it seems we are not paying attention to the large threat to our security),” Sison said in a statement.
“Sa kasalukuyang anyo ng panukalang ito, walang matibay na pananggalang upang masigurong ligtas at lehitimo ang mga papasok na telco providers. Walang garantiya na hindi sila may kaugnayan sa mga grupong may masamang hangarin laban sa ating bansa o sa ating mga ordinaryong mamimili (In its current form, this proposal lacks strong safeguards to ensure that incoming telco providers are safe and legitimate. There is no guarantee that they are not connected to groups with malicious intent against our country or our ordinary consumers),” she added.
On February 5, the Senate successfully passed the bill on its third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2699, before entering its scheduled session break.
The bill aims to make it easier for service providers to enter the market, fostering competition, and offering consumers a greater number and more affordable options for internet services.
Sison has expressed strong concerns regarding the potential risks posed by allowing any service provider to enter the country without sufficient regulatory oversight.
“Kung walang sapat na proteksyon, magiging madali para sa mga mapagsamantalang grupo na dayain, nakawan, o manipulahin ang mga gumagamit ng internet, lalo na ang mga hindi pamilyar sa mga panganib ng online transactions (Without sufficient protection, it will be easy for exploitative groups to deceive, rob, or manipulate internet users, especially those unfamiliar with the dangers of online transactions). “
The BK3 convenor emphasized that sufficient protection must be in place to prevent potential risks before the law is enacted.
