DICT Proposes Cybercrime Law Overhaul Amid Rising Scammer Sophistication

In response to the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by scammers, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is advocating for amendments to the existing cybercrime legislation. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, speaking at a press conference in Malacañang, highlighted the resurgence of scam text messages despite the SIM Card Registration law’s efforts to curb such activities. Uy explained that while the law had initially deterred scammers, they have since adapted, employing smaller, more agile teams and new technologies to continue their operations. He described the current situation as a ‘guerilla warfare’ scenario, necessitating a shift in tactics to effectively combat these criminals. One notable method mentioned by Uy is ‘drive-by hacking,’ where scammers use vehicles to infiltrate community mobile networks. Many of these operations utilize smuggled equipment, complicating enforcement efforts. To address these challenges, the DICT is not only intensifying its field operations but also collaborating with Congress to revise the cybercrime law. The proposed changes aim to adopt a broader approach similar to international models, focusing on ‘online harm’ to encompass a wider range of digital offenses, from cybercrime and scamming to hacking, ensuring that any activity causing harm online is covered under the law.