HACKED | PLDT assures services unaffected by hacking of Twitter account

May 28, 2020 , 05:11 PM

(MAY 28, 2020) — Hackers on Thursday took control of the Twitter account of the Philippines’ oldest and largest telecommunications company, but the digital service provider assured its customers its network and services would not be affected.

The Twitter account, @PLDT_Cares, had a post at noon calling out the company.

It said: “As the pandemic arises, Filipinos need fast internet to communicate with their loved ones. Do you job. The corrupt fear us, the honest support us, the heroic join us. We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.”

The name on the PLDT_Cares account was also changed to “PLDT Doesn’t Care.” The hackers also tweeted the account’s password.

The company’s rival, Ayala-controlled Globe, was also warned its Twitter account may soon be hacked.

After a few hours, PLDT regained its account and deleted the hackers’ posts.

“We would like to assure our customers that the security services issue was limited only to the Twitter account and did not affect PLDT’s network and services,” PLDT said in a statement.

The National Privacy Commission is awaiting the company’s official report on the incident.

It also advised PLDT that if ever the incident put a real risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects, then they should be notified.

The incident comes as several netizens complain of slow internet connections during the community quarantine.

PLDT said the company provided speed boosts for fiber customers while customers of Smart Communications increased data allocation for mobile phone users.

The company’s other social media accounts are not affected. (Nicole Dacanay/MM)

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Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph

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