In a landmark partnership, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the country's leading telecommunication service providers, Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., and Dito Telecommunity Corporation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster the protection of personal data across their networks. The agreement was signed by Privacy Commissioner Atty John Naga, representing the NPC, Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida representing Globe Telecom, Ms. Leah Jimenez representing Smart Communications, and Atty. Adel Tamano representing DITO Telecommunity. According to the MOU, the collaboration intends to tackle various fraudulent schemes, including text message scams that disclose personal data. To combat such fraud, the parties have agreed to joint information dissemination campaigns to educate the public and intensify anti-fraud measures. The MOU also establishes a Joint Task Force comprising representatives from each entity tasked with coordinating, communicating, and implementing their respective obligations under the agreement. The NPC will act as the Secretariat of the Joint Task Force. Key areas of cooperation include crafting the content and material for the information dissemination campaign. The campaign will encompass various platforms, including television, radio, social media, and digital. The telecom service providers will bear the expenses related to the campaign. Additionally, the parties will actively promote knowledge-based decision-making. The Joint Task Force convenes every six months or more frequently, if necessary, to share information, identify priorities, and discuss relevant issues. In line with their commitment to data privacy, any data exchanged among the parties will be treated as confidential, and processing of any personal and sensitive personal information will comply with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. “It is imperative that we join forces with the private sector and collaborate to further strengthen data privacy awareness and educate our kababayans in safeguarding their personal data. By working together in this common endeavor, we can effectively promote the significance of ensuring that personal data is safe and secured, and the consequences of failing to do so,” said Privacy Commissioner Atty. John Naga. “This initiative is crucial in light of the increasing instances of data breaches and cyber threats that pose a significant risk to data privacy and security. It is our collective responsibility to equip our fellow citizens with the knowledge on their rights as data subjects and doing their part in protecting their own personal data,” Naga added. "This collaboration represents our commitment to data privacy and security. We are taking action to protect our subscribers from fraudulent activities that infringe upon their personal data," said Atty. Salandanan-Almeida, chief privacy officer of Globe Telecom. "The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding means that we continue to stand united in protecting our texting public. Now we are tasked with the challenge of together helping our countrymen become more aware of how they can protect themselves against spams and scams," said Leah Jimenez, data protection officer of Smart Communications. The MOU is a substantial step toward strengthening the protection of personal information in the Philippines, promoting data privacy, and safeguarding the public from potential data privacy threats.