Skip to content
Telecom

PLDT, Smart Lauds Government’s New Cybercrime Lab

By Minjun ParkPhilippines
1 min read
PLDT Philippines
PLDT Philippines
In this article (5)

Philippines’ major telecoms group, Smart and PLDT said it welcomes the country’s new Digital Forensics Platform and Laboratory launched by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, or ICC.

The new facility aims to improve the government’s initiatives to fight cybercrime, especially, online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Following the unveiling of this new laboratory, the group said that it has strengthened its cyber security systems as it continues its cooperation with the local government in fighting across the digital landscape.

The new facility will help CICC to work closely with other law enforcement agencies in the country to conduct comprehensive digital and forensic investigations.

The group’s Chief Information Security Officer, Angel Redoble, meanwhile stressed that they will continue to address these challenges in the cyberspace.

“Children became more vulnerable to cyberattacks after the pandemic forced them to stay at home and get online to study and connect with friends, and cyber criminals have also been targeting them. We have fortified our cyber defenses and strengthened our coordination with the government to make the internet safer for kids.”

According to PLDT and Smart, they have beefed up their efforts to support the government in its crackdown on online child abuse. By the end of May this year, it has blocked nearly 300,000 URLs linked to these criminal activities.

The group has also collaborated with other private and public sectors in urging the country’s president to sign into to law the bill against online child sexual abuse before he steps down from office on June 30.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary objective of the new Digital Forensics Platform and Laboratory?

A.

The new facility aims to enhance the government's efforts in combating cybercrime, particularly focusing on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. It will assist the CICC in conducting digital and forensic investigations alongside law enforcement agencies.

Q.

What specific actions has the telecoms group taken to fight online child abuse?

A.

By the end of May this year, PLDT and Smart had blocked nearly 300,000 URLs associated with these criminal activities. They have also strengthened their cybersecurity systems and coordination with the government.

Q.

Why did children become more vulnerable to cyberattacks according to Angel Redoble?

A.

Angel Redoble stated that children became more vulnerable after the pandemic forced them to stay at home and use the internet for studying and connecting with friends. Cyber criminals have specifically targeted them during this period.

Q.

What legislative action did the group support to combat online child sexual abuse?

A.

The group collaborated with other sectors to urge the country's president to sign a bill against online child sexual abuse into law. This was requested before the president's term ended on June 30.

Reader pulse

Does this move enhance brand trust?

22,068 votes so far

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready