The National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have discussed safeguards for personal information under the tax agency’s Registration Seal Badge program following concerns from taxpayers and other stakeholders.
In a statement, the NPC said the agencies met on Oct. 26 at the BIR National Office to discuss the legal basis and purpose of processing personal information under the initiative, as well as measures to protect the data involved.
The meeting came five days after the privacy regulator issued the BIR a notice to explain regarding the program.
The NPC also acknowledged the BIR’s decision to suspend the compliance deadline for the Registration Seal Badge, including mandatory online posting, until further notice.
The badge was introduced as an alternative to publishing a full Certificate of Registration online. However, the implementation prompted concerns over data privacy and compliance requirements, leading the BIR to suspend the deadline while the issues are addressed.
The NPC said its engagement with the BIR aims to ensure that government initiatives involving the processing and disclosure of personal information comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, or Republic Act No. 10173.
“Legitimate government objectives must be accompanied by appropriate safeguards for the protection of personal information,” the commission said, emphasizing the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose and proportionality.
Privacy Commissioner Johann Carlos Barcena said the NPC would continue constructive engagement with the BIR while independently exercising its regulatory mandate under the law.
The NPC delegation included Deputy Privacy Commissioner Jose Sutton Belarmino II and Privacy Policy Office Director Reinier Jeffrey Abdon.
The commission said it would continue coordinating with the BIR to address privacy considerations in implementing the Registration Seal Badge.
The discussions underscore the need to balance tax compliance and government transparency with taxpayers’ rights to personal data protection. The program’s implementation remains subject to further developments, with the compliance deadline suspended pending further notice from the BIR.
