There has been a data leak causing mobile users to receive personalized scam messages. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is pointing at contact tracing platforms as the main culprit.
NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios acknowledged that the spam texts “possibly” came from contact tracing platforms, which are mandatory forms for Filipinos entering establishments such as restaurants, malls, and etc,
“Dapat po kasi may maparusahan dito kasi may nag-leak ng information,” Cabarios added, noting that the NTC is in talks with the National Privacy Commission.
“Mayroon pong nag-leak ng information kasi bakit ‘yung telephone number, mayroong pangalan? Kung telephone number lang puwedeng sabihin na random, pero ito may pangalan eh,” he added.
In line with this, Smart has confirmed that there is no leak or breach on its end.
“Upon scrutiny of these spam messages, we have observed that the format of the names mimics the naming conventions used in popular digital services.” PLDT and Smart FVP and Chief Information Security Officer Angel Redoble said. “There is no evidence to suggest a breach in our systems that would have given perpetrators access to the mobile numbers and names of our subscribers.”
Smart is now working closely with the National Privacy Commission (NPC), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and law enforcement agencies to further investigate the root cause of these scam text messages.