Have you been getting spam messages lately?
Netizens were quick to point out contact tracing requirements as the main reason behind the recent surge of text messages containing spam, with some even offering full-time jobs.
For its part, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, Nov. 22 that it has coordinated with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) who accordingly, is conducting its own investigation on the matter.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire mentioned that NPC, is the primary office of government which has the mandate to check on these kinds of scams or messaging. She reminded the public, however, not to invoke privacy protocols as a means to withhold or prevent them personal information for contact tracing purposes.
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"We would like to reiterate na kung ano man po iyong ating mga protocols for privacy this should not come in the way of having these details being used by our healthcare workers or professionals," Vergeire said.
She added it is stated in the law that citizens may provide their personal details but only to authorized individuals of the government which include the DOH and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
This is to ensure that contact tracing efforts will continue to run smoothly and remain unhampered to curb the transmission of COVID-19 in communities, Vergeire said.