Privacy watchdog asks BIR to explain seal badge requirement
MANILA — The National Privacy Commission has sought the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s explanation on the requirement for the mandatory online display of its Registration Seal Badge for digital sellers and content creators amid data privacy concerns.
This comes hours before the BIR on Monday announced the suspension of the mandatory display of the badge, which also halts the upcoming October 31, 2026 compliance deadline.
NPC Deputy Commissioner Atty. Jose S. Belarmino II said they sent a letter to the bureau to explain the basis and reasoning behind the need to include an individual’s full name in the badge, as it recognized concerns about potential issues, including identity theft.
“Mayroong sinasabing mga privacy concerns patungkol dito kasi iyong iba ayaw nilang i-reveal iyong identity nila. Yung iba naman puwedeng maging victim ng doxxing, puwedeng maging victim ng identity theft, ‘no, so I believe ito iyong main concern ng ating mga kababayan na engaged sa mga online services, online selling,” Belarmino told state-run media PTV Monday, October 26.
“Kami po ay nagsulat na sa BIR para i-explain sa amin kung ano ba talaga iyong basehan behind this seal of registration na may kinakailangang full name noong individual,” he said.
The NPC official vowed fairness and balance in reviewing the issue as it acknowledged that the policy is “anchored” on the bureau’s revenue regulations.
“So, iyon ay kumbaga under consideration ‘no at it will have to be determined based on their reasoning kasi kung sasabihin nila sa amin na kinakailangan iyon for protection ng buyer, let’s say, kung ako ay buyer kanino ba ako magrireklamo eh hindi ko alam iyong tunay na pangalan noong seller, ang alam ko lang is iyong company name noong seller but ang registered sa BIR is iyong individual,” Belarmino stated.
“Ang sinasabi nga po ng ibang tao it’s enough na mayroon na iyong kanilang kumbaga screen name ‘no, iyong influencer name or iyong seller name, but the question now is kanino sila lalapit? So, ito iyong mga babalansehin natin at titingnan natin kung dapat ba talagang naka-display iyong buong pangalan noong person engaged in online selling or services,” he added.