By Beatrice Puente
(October 14, 2021) – Using emergency text alerts for political agenda might obscure the real purpose of the system in times of calamities, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said on Thursday.
NPC chairperson Raymund Liboro expressed serious concern about the use of unauthorized text blast alerts since it also tramples on people’s right to consent and the right to be notified. Only the government can them out during times of disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunami.
“You are impinging on the rights of data subjects na sinasabi kong rights natin to be notified and to have a choice. Kapag brinoadcast ‘yun, no choice ka. Tama? Hindi rin sinasabi kung saan gagamitin ito,” said Liboro on One News’ Agenda.
Telecommunication firms cannot transmit political advertisements without soliciting the consent of their subscribers, according to Liboro, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012. He added that all users must likewise be given a choice to stop receiving these messages as provided for under the law.
NPC plans to formulate data privacy guidelines that various political parties and candidates must abide by during the campaign season.
“Kung wala kang naalalang inoohan ka na tatanggap ka nitong push advertisements na ito, puwede mong sabihing ayoko nang tumanggap nito at wag niyo na akong padalhan nito,” said Liboro.
Last week, several people at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay received an emergency message bearing support for the late dictator’s son, former senator Bongbong Marcos Jr., who filed his certificate of candidacy for president. It remains a mystery who sent the text blast alert since the Marcos camp also denied any hand on it.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has earlier said the message might have come from portable cell sites. It has ordered three online commerce platforms—Facebook Marketplace, Lazada, and Shopee—to stop selling text blast kits on their websites.
NTC officials also called on the representatives of these online firms to file a written explanation of why they shouldn’t be held liable in the case. Their officials are also directed to appear before the commission on October 27 as part of the proceedings.
Liboro believes the emergency text alerts must be reserved for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). It has been authorized under the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Law to send out real-time messages to inform the public about natural or man-made disasters.
“Kapag totoong risk na, baka hindi mo na pansinin kung marami kang natatangap na mga ganyan (emergency alerts),” warned Liboro. “(Kaya) tayo may Data Privacy Act is because we want everyone to trust this new environment, this new digital society that we’re all in. Otherwise, pagdududahan mo lahat.”
(PM)
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