By Gabriel Kim Leal
(January 27, 2025) – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday warned candidates in the 2025 midterm elections that using text blast machines during the campaign period could lead to disqualification and criminal charges.
DICT spokesperson Renato Paraiso said the practice is a violation of multiple laws, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act, stressing that it could also be considered an election offense.
“Puwede naman sa pangangampanya ang paggamit ng text. Ang bawal ay ang pag-possess ng text blasting device at paggamit nito sa pangangampanya. Ibang offense ‘yun,” said Paraiso on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas.
He shared that they received information about a 46-year-old Malaysian arrested in Parañaque for selling text blast machines equipped with international mobile subscriber identity catchers, which can also be used for scams.
Paraiso added that this has raised concerns that some of the devices may already be in the hands of candidates.
He explained that text blast machines can send messages posing as mobile network operators or government-issued messages. He reminded the public that those with links are likely scams.
“Ang karaniwang sign dito is if may link that is attached to that text message dahil pinagbawal na ng NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) ang magkaroon ng hyperlink ang mga text,” said Paraiso.
He said identifying text blast messages was made easier because of the SIM Registration Law, the first legislation signed by Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. The law has continued to face criticisms for its alleged loopholes and the resurgence of scams.
Last week, the DICT expressed concerns that text blast devices were possibly used in the 2022 elections.
Election watchdogs have warned about the abuse of information technology by candidates, urging the Comelec, DICT, and NTC to be more vigilant.
(PM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.