EDITORS DESK
BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
The spate of text scams and spam messages has become so bold and vicious that authorities are under pressure to step up to protect hapless Filipinos against these scammers.
Recently, these evildoers have become so aggressive that recipients already were identified by their names, myself included. Scammers offer outrageous fake jobs, rewards, casino winnings, and loans, not just to ordinary Filipinos but high-ranking government officials as well.
In my case, scammers used my FB account. Other recipients said their names were taken from their online messaging accounts, while others from their fintech. Others doubted their banks and some claimed the leak came from Comelec.
Full disclosure: since the contact tracing forms became rampant during the pandemic and were blamed for the first wave of spams, I no longer use my correct personal data, especially my mobile phone number, when filling out forms.
Efforts to stem the tide are not that successful. Most efforts have been directed toward the telecommunications firms, but it seemed they have been overshadowed given the growth of the daily barrage of fake messages that went into one’s smart phone.
Actually, the spam messages are so outrageous that we think they are run by a bunch of nitwits trying to outwit the other more gullible fellow. But this is no laughing matter as we’ve heard horror stories of victims. We cannot just ignore these messages because the fact that they are thriving means business must be good.
I really wonder what could be the thoughts going on in the minds of these evildoers. I also wonder if this way of earning a living is indicative of an emerging new kind of morality. And it scares the hell out of me to think what could be their next modus to fool people if this is not resolved.
The National Privacy Commission (NPC), whose primary mandate is to protect the privacy of individuals by making personal data of Filipinos safe and secure, has been up on their feet working against personal data breaches.
But what we need really it to see scammers being held accountable for their action. Unless, the authorities can identify and penalize these perpetrators, they will just continue to ply their trade with impunity.
Recently, NPC summoned the telcos to a meeting together with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) amid the alarming proliferation of new varieties of fake messages.
The NTC also requested Dito Telecommunications Corp., Globe Telecoms Inc., and Smart Communications Inc. to text blast their subscribers up to Sept. 22 to warn against job offers or cash rewards personally addressed to SIM cardholders as these are scams.
Furthermore, telcos are directed to accelerate the process of blocking SIM cards that are being utilized to perpetuate these fraudulent activities and further enhance the messaging of their respective public information campaigns to factor in the new variants of the scams. The telcos are also required to submit a written report of compliance.
For their part, telcos committed to intensify their technological and security safeguards, including the blocking of spam messages and deactivating numbers. Telcos regularly report the number of blocked messages blocked and deactivated SIM cards.
NPC also conducted open, public webinars to discuss the risks and harm of receiving these text messages, the best practices to protect ourselves from being scammed, and other useful information that can be applied in our daily lives.
To add more teeth to its enforcement, NPC has set administrative fines against data privacy infractions. NPC Circular No. 2022-01 on the Guidelines on Administrative Fines sets the penalty against personal information controllers (PICs) and personal information processors (PIPS) that committed data privacy infractions. This recognizes that it is essential for the public interest to impose administrative fines that are proportionate and dissuasive of data privacy infractions.
The circular is seen vital to NPC in effectively executing its mandate to administer and implement the Data Privacy Act. In addition, PICs and PIPs are expected to view the imposition of administrative fines as motivation to protect and safeguard the personal data they collect and process.
The penalty should ensure personal information controllers and processors to adopt optimal levels of data protection and security.
Police authorities and the National Bureau of Investigation are now on the hunt for these criminals. Still, the text scams are proliferating without any let up.
Perhaps, this could be the right time to pass the mandatory SIM card registration bill after former President Duterte vetoed a proposed bill due to the inclusion of mandatory social media registration.
Duterte was concerned that the provision requiring registration of social media accounts may lead to “dangerous state intrusion and surveillance, threatening many constitutionally protected rights.”
Already a consolidated bill requiring mobile mandatory SIM cards registration, sans the social media, was approved by the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology.
If passed into law, SIM card users must register their personal information with telecommunications bodies or authorized card sellers.
With what is happening in our virtual world, it is no brainer to pass this new SIM card registration bill.
Actually, there is no better way to fight scammers, but by having a well-informed citizenry. We cannot put all the responsibility on the authorities, we must beware.
(The author is the assistant Business Editor of Manila Bulletin.)