In the Philippines, a new law threatens the livelihoods of pseudonymous content creators

This story was originally published on Passionfruit.

For many, anonymity is a fact of online life. Internet users worldwide operate under usernames, pen names, and gamertags that obscure and protect their real identities.

But in the Philippines, that right to anonymity, and the online communities built around it, may be at risk. A new law requires all social media users to provide their real names and phone numbers when creating their accounts. 

The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act lapsed into law Friday. In the Philippines, bills become law 30 days after being passed by Congress. President Rodrigo Duterte had the opportunity to veto the law but did not do so.

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