The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed that all unregistered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards will no longer be in use after the deadline on July 25, but will be given a five-day grace period for holders to reactivate them.

On the sidelines of an event in Quezon City on Friday, Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy stated that the government would adhere to the SIM registration law's implementing rules and regulations, which allow for an additional five days to register after the deadline.

This is despite the fact that he emphasized that July 25 was already a "hard deadline" and that no further extensions would be granted.

The DICT chief stated that the registration rate was "within target of our goal" because practically all revenue-generating SIM cards—or those held by active users purchasing mobile load credits and subscribing to post-paid plans—had previously been listed.

With the deadline approaching on Tuesday, July 25, Uy warned about cyber hackers launching text scams aimed at acquiring personal information from mobile users.

With such information, attackers will be able to take over online accounts.

It might result in financial losses for victims since hackers can siphon money from bank or e-wallet accounts.