Telco Steps Up Anti-Spam Campaign

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Aimed at further reducing, if not eliminating, spam/scam messages that goes through its network, Globe Telecom further stepped up its anti-spam/scam campaign and is now able to block annoying unsolicited messages coming from other telco providers.

Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer revealed that Globe started blocking an estimated 100,000 spam/scam messages per day coming from other networks, beginning last August 16. “We now block an average of 300,000 spam/scam messages daily coming from both Globe and other networks,” Bonifacio said.

The company activated in February this year a fully automated mechanism to rid its network of spam and scam messages. Under the first phase of the program, the anti-spam mechanism blocked spam/scam messages coming from Globe network SIMs. Entering into the second phase of the program, Globe further enhanced its anti-spamming tool to include messages sent by other network SIMs.

“Globe is now a step closer towards totally eradicating the transmittal of spam and scam messages to our customers. The company will continue with the optimization process of the blocking mechanism to stamp out transmittal of such messages whether or not they are coming from the Globe network,” Bonifacio said.

“The company has already blocked around 50 million spam/scam messages since February this year when its new blocking tool was set in place, with a daily average blocked messages of around 200,000 from Globe network alone,” Bonifacio said. The enhanced mechanism now covers the company’s mobile postpaid customers of more than 2.5 million and majority of its prepaid customers of close to 59 million.

Globe Telecom’s blocking tool comprises a new hardware and software solution with complex anti-spam algorithms, with a capacity that can filter up to 1 billion SMS a day. By design, the filtering mechanism can be reconfigured to address the kind of spam and scam messages that goes through the Globe network. Prior to the establishment of a new blocking mechanism in February this year, Globe first operationalized an automated filtering functionality that reduced the number of messages going through the Globe network in September 2014.

New Regulation on Flight Delays

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is coming out with a resolution on passenger convenience in cases of long tarmac delays.

The following are the highlights of the resolution:

1. Resolution 49 requires airlines, foreign and domestic, thru their Piot-in-Charge (PIC) to immediately start deplaning procedures of passengers once tarmac delay hits two (2) hours. Tarmac delay count starts from the time aircraft door closes, whether before take off or after landing.

Domestic Flights – should be deplaned by the third hour
International Flights – should be deplaned by the fourth hour

2. In cases where passengers cannot be deplaned at the said time frame, the air carrier shall have burden of proof and present adequate and reasonable evidence.

Possible circumstances for not starting deplaning procedures after two-hours include:

· Safety and security related reasons (determined by Pilot-In-Command upon consultation with airport officials)
· Air Traffic Control (ATC) advises PIC disembarkation will significantly disrupt airport operations
· PIC receives notification the flight can depart within 30 minutes of two-hour threshold

3. Air carrier should provide adequate food and potable water no later two hours after delay

4. There should be operable lavatory facilities and medical attention when needed while aircraft is on tarmac

5. The PIC should give status update announcements to its passengers every thirty minutes starting from the first half hour of the delay.

6. After deplaning, airlines must provide as much as practicable, accommodation, when necessary, food and communication services, and give timely and accurate update to passengers regarding status of their flights

7. Air carriers or its ground handlers should make prior coordination with relevant government agencies such as BoC, BI, OTS etc. for any deplaning or disembarkation procedures

8. Air carriers should assign a point person or person of authority to monitor effects of delay, address passenger queries and provide passenger guidance on updates on status of delayed or cancelled flights


This resolution will be effective 15 days after publication.

Publication targeted for Wednesday, 31 August 2016

Privacy Act IRR Released – NPC to Educate Public about Privacy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act (DPA) of 2012 was officially submitted to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) for publication on the Official Gazette by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) after several months of public consultations nationwide with various stakeholders. The IRR will officially take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication.

Photo 1: Commissioners, Mon Liboro, Ivy Patdu and Dondi Mapa of the NPC (form R to L) listed to inputs from health information and research stakeholders at a public consultation on R.A. 10173's IRR (photo courtesy of Ramon Duremdes Jr. )

Civil Society organization, Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) was instrumental in organizing Public Consultations for the Implementing Rules, According to FMA Director Alan Alegre; “The FMA is pleased with the spirit of inclusive participation of stakeholders in the development of the DPA’s IRR, Kudos to all stakeholders who participated in the public consultations, submitted comments online and offline, and produced position papers.”

Personal Information Controllers and other stakeholders participated in five public consultations and several meetings with the NPC. These stakeholders included representatives from banks, retail, education, research, health Informatics, civil society, business process management, the migrant sector and Government organizations. Among the organizations that helped organize public consultations were the Philippine Computer Society, U.P Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD), Department of Health, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Ateneo de Davao University, UP-PGH, National Telehealth Center and the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA). 

National Privacy Commission Press Release

The NPC will focus on conducting public information campaigns aimed at educating the public and organizations on the importance of data privacy in its first year of operations. According to Privacy Chairman Raymund Liboro, “With the prevalent use of personal data in access devices, social media, smartphone apps as well as the delivery of basic services, it is extremely important that the public and organizations be made aware of the need to responsibly handle personal information., Commissioner Liboro explains.

Commissioner Liboro emphasized that the DPA and its IRR were developed with the rights of the individual should be given priority. “The rules were made with the citizen's protection and the country's progress in mind. Personal data are your personal assets that should be guarded. Collectively, they become a national asset too.” Chairman Liboro added.

The Data Privacy Act applies in general to any person or organization, whether from the government or private sector, that is involved in the collection, processing and any further use of personal data. Personal data is any information that may identify a person, such as names, identification numbers, and personal circumstances. It may involve sensitive information such as contents of a medical record which a person normally does not intend to disclose to the public.

According to Chairman Liboro; “Everyone must be aware on how to secure them from threats. The Data Privacy Act was enacted to build trust on the country's ICT systems. To make sure every Filipino benefits from ICT and not to fall victims to data use negligence and internet abuse.”

The Privacy Commission is hopeful that they will get full cooperation from industry, government, civil society groups and other stakeholders on the conduct of its public information campaign and other activities. NPC Deputy Commissioner Ivy Patdu said, “To truly embrace a culture of privacy requires multi-sectoral coordination. The Commission has a big job ahead and the support and cooperation of various industries and Government will go a long way in protecting personal data.”

“Privacy is a fundamental human right. Promoting free flow of information should not be seen as incompatible with upholding the right to information privacy. We just need to realize that the benefits gained from use of personal data comes with a duty of respecting rights of data subjects” Commissioner Patdu said.

About the National Privacy Commission - The National Privacy Commission is an independent body mandated to administer and implement the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and to monitor and ensure compliance of the country with international standards set for data protection.