Senators Bam Aquino and Pia Cayetano have called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to address data privacy concerns raised by online sellers and digital content creators over its registration seal badge requirement ahead of the Oct. 31, 2026 compliance deadline.
Aquino urged the BIR to defer implementation while authorities review complaints from affected sellers and creators.
“Hiling natin sa BIR: ipagpaliban muna ang Registration Seal Badge requirement. Pakinggan muna natin ang hinaing ng mga online sellers at content creators,” Aquino said.
Cayetano said online sellers and digital content creators were concerned that the badge’s embedded QR code could expose personal information, including their full legal names.
She said she had brought the issue to the National Privacy Commission (NPC), whose budget she is handling in the Senate.
“Given the October 31, 2026 implementation date, I trust that the concerned agencies can work together to immediately address and resolve the data protection concerns raised by our online sellers and influencers, balancing tax compliance with individual privacy,” Cayetano said.
Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 38-2026, the BIR Registration Seal Badge is required for online sellers, e-commerce merchants, digital service providers, freelancers, vloggers, content creators, and influencers.
The badge replaces the need to publicly display a full Certificate of Registration (COR) online, which contains tax registration details. The measure is intended to limit the public exposure of sensitive tax information while allowing businesses and individuals to display proof of BIR registration.
The compliance deadline has been extended to Oct. 31, 2026.
Generating the badge is free. However, taxpayers who need to update their registration details online must pay a P30 documentary stamp tax (DST), according to published guidance on the requirement.
