News Roundup 14 May 2023
May 14, 2023 • 3 min Read
National Privacy Commission steps up probe of GCash fiasco | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Saturday ordered an in-depth investigation into a potential personal data breach at GCash, the popular digital payments platform of Globe Telecom Inc., amid recent reports of unauthorized account deductions and longer-than-usual downtimes that inconvenienced many users.
The NPC’s Complaints and Investigation Division has been closely monitoring the incident at GCash since May 9, when reports on social media citing suspicious transactions in the mobile app began to pile up.
“The NPC is committed to safeguard the privacy of all individuals and will continue to provide guidance on how the public can better protect themselves from violations of their data privacy rights, even as these threat actors are also becoming more sophisticated in the pursuit of their criminal design,” NPC Chief Commissioner John Henry Naga said in a statement.
“The NPC will diligently exercise its powers under the law against any party found to be in violation of the Data Privacy Act,” he added.
Telco points to users
The NPC said they would issue another order instructing G-Xchange Inc. (GXI), the company managing GCash, to provide further information and documents to allow an independent assessment and verify GXI’s claims that phishing incidents instead of hacking led to the suspicious transactions reported by some users.
Full Story at: National Privacy Commission steps up probe of GCash fiasco | Inquirer News
24 Filipino artists to participate in ‘Art Without Borders’ program in Malaysia | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-four Filipino artists will be taking part in a cross-cultural tour of Kuala Lumpur through the first “Art Without Borders” program of Art Show Philippines (ASP).
The ASP said the 24 delegates were chosen through a “rigorous curatorial review” and that the program, which runs from May 18-21 in Malaysia, will give them the opportunity to learn and form a network with their Malaysian counterparts.
“Embarking on a cultural study tour can unlock a whole new dimension of appreciation for art and culture,” ASP founder Frederick Epistola said in a statement Saturday, May 13.
“Through immersion in a particular culture, one can gain a holistic understanding of its customs and traditions and truly experience its way of life. This immersion is a key factor in developing cultural awareness and artistic development,” he added.
Full Story at: 24 Filipino artists to participate in ‘Art Without Borders’ program in Malaysia | Inquirer News
No tensions, so far: PCG monitoring Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said Sunday it is observing the activities of the Chinese militia and fishing vessels anchored in the West Philippine Sea.
PCG Vice Admiral Joseph Coyme said the agency has already issued voice challenges against the Chinese vessels. However, he stressed that tensions have not escalated as the Philippines has not been provocative and the presence of the foreign ships has not affected their own operations in the area.
“That’s what’s good about having PCG and law enforcement agencies present,” Coyme told DzBB Super Radyo. “Our approach has been diplomatic. We are not yet in a situation where tensions have truly heightened.”
Tensions between the two countries continue as Beijing still encroaches Manila’s waters.
Full Story at: No tensions, so far: PCG monitoring Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
Coast Guard adds buoys in five ‘critical areas’ in WPS | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard last week installed five navigational buoys “on critical areas” in the West Philippine Sea to emphasize that the area is within Philippine territory.
In a Twitter post on Sunday, PCG adviser for maritime security Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan (Task Force for Maritime Safety) placed buoys in waters off Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Julian Felipe Reef.
Tarriela said the buoys “[signify] the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
“This move highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade,” Tarriela added.
Full Story at: Coast Guard adds buoys in five ‘critical areas’ in WPS | Philstar.com
