 |
HOME|ABOUT|NEWS|PUBLICATIONS|RESOURCES|CONTACT US |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
FIGHTING TEXT OFFENSES AND TEXTUAL HARASSMENTAuthor: Rumor-mongering texters have struck again. First it was the April Fool's text about the death of Pope John Paul II and former President Fidel Ramos. Later, they spread the word that President Estrada had resigned. Even the Exclamation Point Movement, a new legal opposition group composed mainly of people identified with the past two administrations, jumped on the "invitation" to a noise barrage which supposedly originated in the text world. Lately, these texters set their sights on the banking industry, causing the recent rash of bank runs. For their part, cellphone operators (cellcos) have pleaded for responsible texting with no less than full-page newspaper ads. As a deterrent, however, these calls for responsible texting are about as effective as "No Jaywalking" signs on EDSA, the main thoroughfare in Metropolitan Manila. The fact is that the cellcos can do more to minimize, if not, avoid this form of rumor-mongering. After all, the business of rumor mongering over SMS (short messaging service) or text messaging can be traced back to the cellcos themselves. Obviously, the appeal of using text messaging to spread rumors is its ability to reach a broad section of our society. But what is more appealing is the anonymity that texting can provide. Anonymity protects these rumor mongers from being identified and ultimately from any reprisals for their message. On the one hand, anonymity in political speech allows for an atmosphere of intelligent debate on national concerns since the fear of political reprisals has its chilling effects. Then again, anonymity can be used to destabilize governments, destroy professional and business reputations, and wreak havoc on society as a whole. Unfortunately, cellcos contribute to the problem of anonymity. Anonymity is a consequence of the cellcos' efforts to facilitate the sale of SIM packs. Cellcos allow the sale of prepaid SIM packs to any person without any form of registration nor any requirement of identification. To top it off, the information on the SIM pack is unknown even to the retailer or vendor, ostensibly to deny buyers the opportunity to choose easy-to-remember cellphone numbers which, if allowed, would impede the sale of SIM packs with less attractive cellphone numbers. The irony of it all is that existing technology can provide the means by which the identity of a person within the cellphone network can be easily established. In fact, the ease by which the identity of a mobile phone can be determined is an integral part of the revolution that is driving mobile or m-commerce to become a more secure platform than Internet e-commerce. The user can be traced to the unique serial number of his cellphone and SIM card -- both of which may be tracked by the cellcos every time the phone is used. Cellcos also have the ability to locate the cellphone user by triangulating his position based on which cell sites pick up the signal sent by the phone or by using the services of companies offering GPS (global positioning systems). Despite these technological features that pinpoint the identity of the user, anonymity can be maintained simply by purchasing a cellphone with a prepaid SIM pack with cash. Cash transactions are untraceable and since no forms are signed, neither the retailer nor the cellco knows who the purchaser is. Also, if the user keeps the phone off at all times except when sending the anonymous texts, the cellcos will not be able to locate the phone, and the texter remains anonymous. As the number of cellphone users increase, the problem of text rumor mongering can only get worse. Given the havoc these irresponsible texters have wreaked so far, it behooves the cellcos and government to act quickly. The solution is simple enough -- require all cellphone users to present proper identification when purchasing SIM packs. There is no reason for the consumer to refuse since he already provides the same identification whenever he enters an office building or a residential subdivision or applies for any public utility service. For those who are already anonymous, cellcos can
require them to undergo an identification process as a condition to reloading
their SIM packs. Since prepaid cards expire after 60 days, the process
of collecting identification data from cell users can be completed within
that time. |
|||
|
|
