Globe Telecom reported that it had blocked access to an increasing number of child pornography and illegal gambling sites as part of its commitment to online safety and protection.
In the first half of 2024, Globe said it successfully intercepted 1,718 domains and 190,167 uniform resource locators (URLs) related to child pornography, a substantial rise from the 1,295 domains and 129,652 URLs blocked during the same period in 2023.
Similarly, Globe intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling sites, deactivating 2,726 domains in the first six months of 2024, compared to 1,828 in the same period the previous year.
Since the initiation of its #MakeITSafePH campaign in 2017, Globe has actively aligned its initiatives with the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9775), which mandates internet service providers (ISPs) to deploy technologies that prevent access to or transmission of child pornography.
"Globe is focused on creating a safer online environment for all, especially for children. Our increased efforts to restrict access to harmful content reflect our dedication to upholding the highest standards of online safety,” said Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer and Chief AI Officer Anton Bonifacio.
The firm said its commitment to this cause is further underscored by its investment of over $2.7 million in advanced content filtering systems to enhance its capabilities in detecting and blocking illegal content.
The company also collaborates closely with various organizations, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators, and non-government organizations to bolster child protection online.
Globe's proactive measures are crucial in addressing this alarming trend, highlighted by a study from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which identified the Philippines as a leading source of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) content.
The company’s initiatives are not limited to preventing access to harmful content. Through its #MakeITSafePH campaign, Globe undertakes comprehensive educational programs and awareness activities designed to empower users with the knowledge and tools needed to protect themselves online.
Globe said its endeavors aim to foster a culture of digital responsibility and ensure a safer internet experience for all Filipinos.
Last Friday, Globe reported a substantial decrease in bank-related spam and scam SMS in its network due to its rigorous anti-fraud measures and strategic collaborations with major financial institutions.
The firm said that, from January to June 2024, it successfully intercepted over 2.74 million bank-related spam and scam messages, marking a 43.56 percent year-on-year decline compared to the 4.85 million messages blocked in 2023.
“This underscores the effectiveness of Globe's proactive strategies and robust partnerships with the country's major banks and financial institutions,” it noted.
The improvement follows Globe's anti-fraud agreements with the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), encompassing 45 major banks, and various individual players in the finance sector.
These collaborations have enabled vigorous and timely data and intelligence-sharing, aligning efforts to prevent and investigate fraud more effectively.
"Our collective efforts with the banking sector have significantly strengthened our fight against spam and scam SMS targeting depositors," said Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer and Chief AI Officer Anton Bonifacio.
He added, “By working together and sharing critical intelligence, combined with our enhanced detection and blocking systems, we can now better protect our customers from illegal activities.”