(October 9, 2025, Metro Manila, Philippines) – The National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP) and the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT) supports the National Privacy Commission’s (NPC) decision ordering World.Org to cease and desist its operations in the Philippines, and proposes an independent privacy and cybersecurity audit to validate the findings and strengthen public trust.
“As advocates of data protection and responsible digital transformation, we believe transparency and fairness are essential to maintaining confidence in our cyber and digital ecosystems,” said Sam Jacoba, Founding President of NADPOP and Vice President of PH-CERT. “An independent audit can help clarify the facts, ensure due process, and promote accountability among all stakeholders.”
The proposed audit, to be conducted by NADPOP and PH-CERT Communities of Practice experts and volunteers, seeks to provide a technical and ethical assessment of World.Org’s data handling practices and compliance posture. Both organizations emphasize that this proposed audit will be conducted with the highest ethical standards and in close coordination with relevant authorities, including the NPC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), other relevant agencies and with other industry and academe Communities of Practice organizations.
Lito Averia, President of PH-CERT, emphasized that “this is not about contesting the ruling but strengthening trust through evidence-based, transparent action. Our goal is to protect citizens’ rights while supporting innovation built on accountability.”
Last April 2025, NADPOP and PH-CERT launched CyberBayan, a national movement to secure the digital lives and future of Filipinos. The partnership with World.Org and Tools for Humanity was also announced on the same day.
“Even though we still haven’t launched a concrete initiative with World.Org in the Philippines, it is imperative that we ensure that they adhere to our joint commitment to secure the digital lives and the digital future of Filipinos. The best way for us to do this is for our world class experts to conduct a full and independent review of their digital ecosystem,” Jacoba stressed. “In parallel, we hope to continue to collaborate with partners in government, industry and the academe in building a secure, ethical, and resilient digital Philippines, where privacy, cybersecurity, and trust remain at the core of innovation and progress.”
===
For further information, please email [email protected].