A BILL amending the anti-wiretapping act to regulate telcos’ data retention practices has passed out of committee and is awaiting plenary action at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 8378 prohibits the telecommunications industry from retaining data for more than one year, unless the information needs to be preserved for a pending court case.
If enacted, the provision will be introduced as a new section of Republic Act No. 4200, An Act to Prohibit and Penalize Wire Tapping and other Related Violations of the Privacy Communication.
The bill also provides for penalties of a P1 million maximum fine and six-12 years’ imprisonment.
House Bill 8378 is currently awaiting disposal by the Rules Committee where it was on the order of business before Congress adjourned on Oct. 12.
The bill also authorizes wiretapping for cases of conspiracy to commit coups, robbery, and syndicated illegal recruitment, among others.
Currently, RA 4200 lists as acceptable justifications for wiretapping the crimes of treason, espionage, provoking war and disloyalty in case of war, piracy, mutiny on the high seas, and rebellion, among others. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
