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De Lima: surge of spam SMS puts PH's contact tracing efforts in a bad light
De Lima: surge of spam SMS puts PH's contact tracing efforts in a bad light
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday expressed alarm over the reported surge of text messages containing spam, including sketchy job offers that promised high salaries, saying it not only raises data privacy concerns but has put the country’s contact tracing efforts against COVID-19 in a bad light.
De Lima said the National Privacy Commission (NPC) should conduct a serious and prompt investigation on thematter as it compromises the country’s contact tracing program.
“Recently, people aired their complaints in social media about being flooded with spam text messages. Aside from data privacy concerns, what’s equally alarming is the impact on the government’s COVID-19 response as some are now hesitant to share their personal information on contact-tracing applications, blaming these as the reason why they are receiving spam messages,” De Lima said in her latest statement.
“The NPC should urgently find the culprits behind these spam text messages, lest people further lose trust on the government’s contact-tracing efforts. Are people’s data being sold to third parties? We need answers,” she pointed out.
De Lima, who is seeking reelection in the upcoming May 2022 elections said she fears of a possible number of Filipinos falling prey to such scams due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the economy as many Filipinos suffered with joblessness and lack of livelihood opportunities.
“Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nalilinlang ng mga modus, lalo pa sa kagustuhang agarang guminhawa ang sitwasyon ng pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay (As more people find it hard these days, many of our people get swayed by scammers, especailly those who wish to find immediate relief for their family and their loved ones),” she said.
“Ayaw na nating magpatuloy pa ang ganitong nakakabahalang gawain, na maaari pang bumiktima at lalong magbaon sa marami sa hirap at kawalan ng pag-asa (We don’t want these kind of disturbing activities that could further victimize people and evoke hopelessness),” said De Lima.
The lawmaker further reminded the public to always be vigilant and not click links that are suspicious to make sure that their data and privacy would not be compromised.